HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION 



NEW ENGLAND. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



A. J/COOLIDGE AND J. B. MANSFIELD. 



^^ — — -^4*>? 



BOSTON: 

AUSTIN J. COOLIDGE, 

39 COURT STREET. 

1860. 



v^.^. 



c^'\ 



Entered accorillng to Act of Conp:ress, in the year 1860, by 

AUSTIN J. CO OLID GE, 

III tlie Clerk's Offiee of the District Court for tlie District of Massaclmsetts. 



Trkss of 1!eo. C. Ranp & Avert. 



# 

'O^'^ 



A 



NOTE. 

The portion of the History ami Description of New England relating to New Hamp- 
shire is placed in this form, to meet the wishes of those who prefer the work in separate 
States. As the Granite State is second on the roll of New England commonwealths, and 
second to none in the enterprise of her sons, and in their acchievements at home and 
abroad, in the arts of peace and war, her story will bear to be told alone, as well as in 
the company of States whose glory and strength had a common origin. 



COIs^TENTS. 



\S 



CHAPTER V. 

P.\GK 
OUTLINES OF HISTORY OF THE STATE 37G 



CHAPTER VI. 

ABORIGINAL TRIBES 



CHAPTER VII. 

COUNTIES, CITIES, AND TO^\'N'S .... 40.") 

APPENDIX. 

POPUL.\R AND ELECTOR.\L VOTE FOR I'RESIUEXT. WITH NAMES OF ELECTORS 

FROM 1788 TO PRESENT TIME 704 

NEWSPAPERS IN THE STATE TOG 

SEN.^TORS AND REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS FROM 1789 TO PRESENT 

TIME 701; 

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT FROM 1G80 TO 177G 707 

GUBERNATORIAL VOTE, ETC., FROM 1784 TO PRESENT TIME . . . .708 

ADDITIONAL POST-OFFICES .... 70!) 

ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS 710 

INDEX 711 

( iii ) 



CHAPTEE V. 

NEW IIASIPSUHIE — OUTLINES OF ITS HISTORY. 

New Hampshike is situated between the parallels of 42° 41' and 
45° 11' north latitude, and between the meridians of 70° 40' and 72° 28' 
of longitude, west from Greenwich ; or between 4° 34' and 6° 22' east 
from Washington. It is bounded on the jiorth by Canada East ; on 
the east by the State of Maine and the Atlantic Ocean ; on the south 
by the State of Massachusetts ; and on the west by the State of Ver- 
mont, being separated from it by the Connecticut river, the western 
bank of which forms the dividing line. It contains an area of 9,280 
square miles, or 5,939,200 acres, 100,000 of which are covered with 
water. For the sake of compactness, four distinct divisions will be 
made of this chapter: 1. The discovery of New Hampshire, and the 
efforts of Mason and Gorges at settlement ; the long controversy re- 
garding the Mason claim ; the first survey ; the settlement of the boun- 
dary line ; and the controversy with New York regarding Vermont. 
2. The arrival of Wheelwright ; a glance at the period from the union 
with Massachusetts in 1641 to the final separation in 1741 ; the set- 
tlement of the Scottish emigrants. 3. The wars with the Indians and 
with the French from 1675 to the conquest of Canada in 1760. 4. The 
American Revolution ; subsequent history, and statistics. 

1. The Discovery — F.FFonTS at Settlement — JIason Controversy — First 
Survey — Settlement of Boundahy — Conflict with New York. 

Though, for some years previous to 1603, European vessels had 
coasted along the shore of New Hampshire, nothing definite was 
known regarding its rivers, its harbors, or its coast, until the arri- 
val of Captain Martin Pring, sent out for exploration, under the pat- 
ronage of some merchants of Bristol, England, on the 10th of April 
in that year, with two ships, the Speechve/l and Discoverer, with which 
he entered the harbor of Portsmouth and explored the Piscataqua for 
three or four leagues. Prominent members of the Plymouth Council were 



NEW IIAMPSUIRE OUTLINES OF ITS HISTORY. 377 

Sir Fordinando Gorges, who became its president, and Captain John 
Mason,' who was appointed its secretary. To these indefatigable and 
persevering men New Hampsliire is indebted, however little, for the 
first efforts made to reclaim it from its primeval condition, and to people 
its uninhabited regions. In 1621, Mason succeeded in obtaining from 
the council a grant of a tract extending from Naumkeag, now Salem, 
to the mouth of the Merrimack, which was named the district of Mariana. 
Another grant was made the next year to Gorges and Mason con- 
jointly, — so that it would appear that these adventurous men had re- 
solved to unite their fortunes, — -which comprised all the lands between 
the rivers Merrimack and Keimebec, extending back to the great lakes 
and the St. Lawrence river. This was called Laconia. In the spring 
of 1623, under the name of the " Company of Laconia," Gorges and 
Mason, with several merchants, whom they had induced to adventure 
with them, equipped and sent over an expedition, consisting of David 
Thompson, and William and Edward Hilton, fishmongers of London, 
"with a number of other people, in two divisions," one division of 
which, under Thompson, settled at Little Harbor (on the Eye side), 
at the mouth of the Piscataqua; while the other, under the Hiltons, 
settled on Dover neck, the extreme south point of the town, wiiich they 
called Northam. Prosperity, however, refused to smile on the efforts 
of the company of Laconia ; and, for many years, these towns, the ear- 
liest settled in New Hampshire, hardly advanced from their embryo 
state, and were little more than .stations for fishing. 

In 1629, the province of Laconia was divided by Mason and (iorges, 
the former obtaining a grant in his own name of the territory lying be- 
tween the Memmack and the Piscataqua, extending sixty miles into the 
interior, which he called New Hampshire, in remembrance of Hamp- 
shire in England, where he had his residence. This tract was divided, 
in 1631, into two grants, called the Upper and Lower Plantations, 
patents having been taken out from the Plymouth Company for the 
former, — which included Dover, — by the west of England merchants, 
who appointed Thomas Wiggin as their agent; and for the latter, 
— which included Portsmouth, — by the London merchants, with whom 
(iorges and Mason were partners, and over which, subsequently, Wal- 
ter Ncal was appointed governor. Agriculture, however, was neglected 
in the pursuit of objects immediately remunerative ; consequently, these 

' Captain Mason was a London merchant, Init liccame a sea-captain. He was after- 
wards made governor of Newfoundland, where he acquired considerable knowled"e of 
America, which led him, on his return to England, into a close attachment to those 
who were engaged in its discovery. He was also governor of Portsmouth, in Hamt)- 
shire. — Belknap, p. 4. 

32* 



378 HISTORY AXD DESCRIPTION OF NFiV ENGLAXD. 

adventurers made but slow progress in improvement, eventually became 
disheartened, and many of them abandoned the place entirely, leaving 
Gorges and Mason as the sole proprietors of Portsmouth, and Lords 
Say and Brooke, two Puritan noblemen, as large proprietors in the Dover 
plantation. 

In 1634, Mason and Gorges, whose brilliant visions of wealth and 
fame still sustained them, attempted to revive their jilantation, and sent 
over "a fresh supply of servants, and materials for building," appointing 
Francis Williams as their governor. A short time after this, (1635,) 
the Plymouth Company surrendered their charter to the crown, it having 
been complained of as a monopoly ; and though Gorges used every 
species of argument to defend it from the allegation, all was of no avail. 
Prior to this event, TNIason and Gorges secured to themselves a portion 
of the territory thus escheated to the crown, — ]Mason's grant compris- 
ing both his former patents, which were further increased by a purchase 
from Gorges of a tract on the northeast side of the Piscataqua, three 
miles in breadth from its mouth to its fartlicst head, including a saw- 
mill at the falls of Newichawannock.i Our brightest visions often fail 
of realization, and it was thus with Mason. Just at a period when the 
darling schemes which he had nurtured were assuming something of a 
tangible shape, he was removed by death, and his American estate, 
which was valued in the inventory at £10,000 sterling, was left by will 
to his relatives. After his death, his widow and executrix sent over 
Francis Norton as her " general attorney," to whom she committed the 
whole management of her late hu.sband's estate. The expenses so far 
exceeded the income that she was unable to meet the demands, and 
was obliged to relinquish the care of the settlement. Many of the set- 
tlers removed from the plantation, while those who remained kept pos- 
session of the buildings and improvements, claiming them as their own. 
Thus, that which had but a few years before promised so much, and 
had cost Mason his fortune, was lost to the heirs. These events hap- 
pened between 1638 and 1644. The heirs, however, had no idea of 
giving up so valuable an estate without an effort, and a series of suits 
were instituted, which reached through a number of years. 

In 1652, Joseph Mason arrived in this country from England, with 
full powers from the executrix to adjust and superintend the interests 
of her deceased husband. He found the lands occupied by those who 
were nowise disposed to surrender them ; and, the temper of the gov- 
ernment then in existence being adverse to his claim, he gave up the 
estate as lost, unless the home government should interpose. 

' Belknap, vul. i. pp. 14, 15. 



NEW HAMPSIIIKE OUTLINES OF ITS IIISTORT. 379 

In 1660, Robert Tufton, a grandson of Captain John Mason, had 
his surname changed to Mason, and laid before King Charles a petition 
for the recovery of the vast possessions of his ancestor, in which 
he preferred charges of usurpation against Massachusetts.^ The king 
took favorable notice of it, and referred it to his attorney-general. Sir 
Geoffrey Palmer, who rejDorted that " Robert Mason, grandson and heir 
to Captain John Mason, had a good and legal title to the province of 
New Hampshire." 2 Nothing further was done about the matter, and in 
1675, when the colony was laboring under severe distresses from the 
war with Philip, Mason again petitioned the king to have his property 
restored, who referred the petition to Sir William Jones, the attorney- 
general ; and he, like his predecessor, gave a favorable opinion of the 
claim. In June, 1676, Edward Randolph, a kinsman of Mason, arrived 
at Boston, with a letter from the Privy Council, requiring Massachusetts 
to send over agents, within six months, to answer to the complaints of 
usurpation made against them by the heirs of Mason and Gorges ; and 
William Stoughton and Peter Bulkley were appointed, in September, to 
act in that capacity. Accordingly, a hearing was had, in 1677, before the 
Lords Chief Justices of the King's Bench and Common Pleas, who de- 
cided that Massachusetts had no right of jurisdiction over New Hamp- 
shire ; and though they did not give an opinion as to Mason's claim to the 
soil, they denied his right of government over the territory. It was de- 
cided also that Portsmouth, Dover, Exeter, and Hampton ^ were without 
the bounds of Massachusetts. The attorney-general also reversed his 
previous opinion, — stating that no court in England had cognizance of 
the case, and that it could only be tried in the section of country in 
which the lands were situated. 

In 1679, the union with Massachusetts was dissolved, and a new 
order of government instituted in New Hampshire. In 1680, Mason 
came over from England, with a mandamus authorizing him to take a 
seat in the council of the new government. He endeavored to persuade 
or coerce the inhabitants into an acknowledgment of his claims, assert- 
ing his right to the province, and assuming the title of " lord proprietor." 
His transactions, and those of his agents, gave such offence to the 
inhabitants that they appealed for protection to the council, who were 
not backward in granting it. Mason failing to attend to their orders, a 
warrant was issued for his arrest ; but he managed to escape to Eng- 
land. During the administration of Edward Cranfield,* who was largi'ly 

' To make this part of the chapter intclliiiible, it may bo as well to state, that on the 
14th of April, 1C41, a union was formed by Kew Hampsliire with Jlassachusetts. 
° MS. in Jlassachusetts Superior Court files. ' See post, p. 381. 

* See post, p. 383. 



3^0 lUSTUUY AXD DESCUIPTION OF NEW EXGLAXD. 

int('iv?;t(xl in the claim, tin- most stringent measures were iised to force 
the people into mailing purchases of Mason; but they were found obsti- 
nate and unyielding. To dismiss the subject in a very few words, the 
contest between the inhabitants and the Masonian claimants continued 
to increase in intensity, — the former being atone time in the ascendant, 
and at another time the latter. In 1688, Mason died, and the property 
descended to his two sons, who sold their claim, in 1691, to Samuel 
Allen of London. The case lingered on till 1707, when the British 
ministry, taking into consideration the loyalty of the people, which they 
were ralher desirous of encouraging, as well as the distresses imder which 
they labored in coiise(iuence of Queen Anne's war, suspended a final 
decision on Allen's claim : and before the appeal could be heard, he 
died, putting an end to the suit, which his heirs, being minors, did not 
renew.^ In 1746, however, the surviving heir of Mason, availing him- 
self of some legal defect in the sale to Allen, revived the claim, and 
disposed of his title to the soil of New Hampshire to a company of 
twelve gentlemen in Portsmouth, who, in order to silence the apprehen- 
sions of the people, filed a quitclaim in the recorder's ofiice to all the 
towns previously granted and settled, and also made new grants on 
reasonable terms. Thus the prejudice which was at first excited against 
them gradually died out. By this purchase were settled the long-vexed 
claims which had been pursued with such unwavering pertinacity 
by the Masonian heirs, and resisted with e([ual zeal by the people of 
New Hamjjshire. 

In 1719, the first ])lan of the province was drawn, in compliance with 
an order froni the crown, which, however, did not define its boundaries, 
only suggesting that it might extend as far westerly as Massachusetts,^ 
and on the east to the middle of Piscataqua river, as far up as the tide 
flow* in the Newic liawannock branch, and then northwesterly; but 
whether it shoitld i)c two or mure points westward of north was left 
for further consideration. In 1740, the long conti-oversy respecting the 
boundary line between this province and Massachusetts was terminated 
by the decision of the crown ; and in 1741, in conformity to thi^ royal 
determination of the boundaries, surveyors were appointed and com- 
missioned by Governor Belcher to " run out and mark the lines.'' The 
work was accomplished during the months of Febiaiary and March, the 
boundaries decided by the king giving to New Hampshire a territory 
of fifty miles in length by fourteen in breadth more than she had 
claimed ; and. if the eastern boundary of the province of New York 
was twenty miles east of Hudson river, it gave to her the whole terri- 

' liclkiiap, vol. I., p. iGiJ. ■ Pi'iiliuUow's INISS. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLINES OP ITS HISTORY. 3S1 

tory of the present state of Vermont, sufficieut to make her a large and 
powerful province.* From this decision sprung a controversy witii New 
York, which was a cause of ceaseless litigation, and frequently of hostile 
encounters, for a period of ten years, the details of which, more jiropcrly 
belonging to Vermont, will be found at length in the leading chapter to 
that state. 



II. The Arrival of WnEELWRiGnx — Glance at the Period from the Uxion 
WITH Massachusetts, in iri41, to the Final Separation in 1741 — Set- 
tlement OF the Scottish Emigrants. 

At the date of the elder Mason's death in 1635, two settlements had 
lieeu established on the Piscataqua, — that at Portsmouth and the ona 
at Dover. The former, in consequence of his decease, was left without 
any leader, at a time, too, when one was much needed. The Dover 
plantation also suffered under many disadvantages, and, in 1633, 
measures were taken for its resuscitation, several families from the 
west of England, some of them men of property, being brought hither 
to increase the colony. Here, it may almost be said, the first settlement 
of any extent was made. In 1638, Rev. John Wheelwright, an exile 
from iVIassachusetts, with several of his church, took up his residence 
in New Hampshire, where he had purchased a tract of territory thirty 
miles square, on the northern side of Merrimack river, which he called 
Exeter. Having formed themselves into a church, they also combined 
into a body politic, and chose rulers and assistants, both which were 
elected annually and sworn into ollice, the people being also sworn to 
obey them. The laws were made in a popular assembly, and formally 
assented to by the people. This was the first government in New 
Hampshire founded on purely democratic principles, and was the germ 
of that government which has continued, with but trifling alteration, for 
more than two hundred years. The plantation of Hampton, called by 
the IncUans Winnicumet, was formed about the same time, and was 
peopled by immigrants from Norfolk, England,^ to the number of fifty- 
six. Portsmouth and Dover, the two oldest settlements, following the 
example of Exeter, formed themselves, in 1649, into separate communi- 
ties. The population of these four infant " republics " did not exceed 
one thousand. 

On the 14tii of April, 1641, a union was formed by New Hampshire 

' New Hampshire claimed that licr southern boundary should be a line commeneing 
three miles north of the mouth of the jSIerrimack, and runninjr due west. 
' Hampton, at this time, was eonsidered as belonging to Massachusetts. 



332 HISTORY AXD DESCllIPTIOX OF NEW ENULAXD. 

with INlassachusetts, and contiimcd for nearly forty years, during whicli, 
their history is one. To consummate this union required very impor- 
tant concessions, — a concession of principle on the one side, and a 
hunyliation of sectarian pride on the other. The original settlers of the 
New Hampshire colony were high -church Episcopalians, who at home 
had despised and persecuted the Puritans, and had hardly acquired an 
aftection for them here, especially as they saw the Massachusetts gov- 
ernment, with its expansive tendencies, breaking over its original con- 
fines, and threatening to cover them with the broad canopy of its civil 
and ecclesiastical authority. They persistently refused to submit to 
this jurisdiction, except on condition " that church membership should 
not be required as a qualification to be a freeman, or to sit as represent- 
ative in the general court." The Puritans had too much foresight to 
permit this law to prevent an extension of their colonial power, and 
they dispensed with it in its application to New Hampshire. This 
was regarded as a most extraordinary concession for the times, and 
looked upon with a holy horror by the rigid Calvinists, who foreboded 
only schism, and other grievous evils, from such toleration. 

Wheelwright, finding himself again under the jurisdiction of Massa- 
chusetts, removed, in 1G43, over the lines into the possessions of Sir Fer- 
dinando Gorges, and, with some of his adherents, founded the town of 
Wells, Me. Soon after, however, following the example of Underbill, 
he addressed a repentant letter to the Massachusetts government, which 
being favorably received, the sentence against him was revoked, and he 
returned and dwelt first in Hampton, and afterwards in Safisbury, Mass. 
until his death. 

From 1640 to IGCO, the upheaving in the old world, — that sent Charles 
I. from a throne to the scatfold, abolished the Star-Chamber, inaugu- 
rated " the Commonwealth," and restored monarchy, — in a great meas- 
ure withdrew attention from the colonies. Apprehensions being enter- 
tained of the covetous designs of the Dutch, the encroachments of the 
French, and, possibly, of an Indian attack, a union was formed, for 
mutual protection, by the four New England colonies, — Connecticut, 
New Haven, New Plymouth, and Massachusetts (including New Hamp- 
shire), — which lasted for nearly half a century. During this period, 
explorations were encouraged by the landed proprietors. Surveying 
parties were sent into the wilderness, not only to prepare the way for 
its settlement, but to secure in advance the most valuable ti-acts of 
land. 

Li I608 an era commenced, in Avhich delusion blinded the eyes, and 
persecution rankled in the hearts, of the good people of New England. 
New Hampshire did not escape receiving two spots upon the pages of her 



NEW HAMPSIURE — OUTLIXES OF ITS HISTORY. 383 

history, — the witchcraft mania, and the persecution of the Quakers. 
In the former, superstition so worked upon the imagination as to over- 
power common sense ; and in the latter, religious fanaticism usur])ed the 
better part of man's nature, making him callous to the teachings of 
conscience or the best feelings of the heart. The trial of Goodwife 
Watford, in March, 1658, at Portsmouth, furnishes an instance of the 
curious evidence adduced in cases of witchcraft ; ^ but though several 
cases were tried in this state, none of the accused suffered death. The 
penalties whicli the laws enforced upon the Quakers were of the most 
sanguinary chai-acter, comprising whipping, imprisonment, cutting off the 
ears, boring the tongue with a hot iron, and banishment, with the penalty 
of deatli if they returned. In 1662, three Quaker women were ordered 
to be stripped, tied to a cart, and publicly whipped, through eleven 
towns in New Hampshire, each receiving ten stripes in every town, 
and this in the depth of winter. This cruel order, however, was not 
enforced except in three of the towns, the women having been released 
in Salisbury, through the instrumentality of Walter Barefoot. No pal- 
liation for these extreme measures can be advanced ; and they are the 
more reprehensible from the fact, that they were instituted by a people 
who had left England for the sake of their religious opinions. 

In 1679, the union with Massachusetts was dissolved by tlie king, 
conti-ary to the wishes of the inhabitants, and a royal government insti- 
tuted. This was brought about mainly through the instrumentality of 
Robert Mason, for the testing of whose claim to the territory of New 
Hampshire a new jurisdiction, and new modes of trial and appeal, were 
found necessary. With a view to conciliate the people, a president and 
councillors were chosen from among them, the president being John 
Cutts of Portsmouth. The king also permitted an assembly, " so long 
as he might find it convenient." This assembly met for the first time 
March 16, 1680, and enacted laws compiled from the Massachusetts 
code, which were rejected in England as " fanatical and absurd." As 
has been shown in another place, this government was strongly averse 
to the interests of Mason, who obtained, in 1682, the appointment of 
Edward Cranfield, a London official, as governor. To him Mason 
guaranteed, by a mortgage on the territory of the province, ,£1.50 per 
annum, and other valuable perquisites. As a consequence, he was deeply 
interested in tlie success of Mason's claim, and instituted a series of the 
most disgraceful proceedings. The assembly not acting in concert with 
his ideas, he dissolved it, and forthwith popular resentment rose high, 
and resulted in a rebellion, at the head of which was Edward Gove, 

' See Adams's Annals of Portsmouth. 



8S4 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTIOX OF XEW EXGLAXD. 

who was found guilty of high treason, and sent to England, but there 
pardoned. Crantleld directed the people to take out leases from Mason, 
which they refused to do ; altered the value of money, changed the 
bounds of townships, established the fees of office, and prohibited ves- 
sels from Massachusetts entering the harbor of Portsmoutii. He made 
himself further obnoxious by requiring Mr. Moodey, the minister of Ports- 
mouth, to administer the "Lord's Supper" according to the Liturgy, 
which he refused to do, and henceforth incurred the governor's dis- 
pleasure, and imprisonment. Numerous other acts of tyranny he en- 
deavored to enforce ; but he found the people less tractable than he had 
anticipated, and discovered that the women could use other implements 
than their tongues in resisting the oppression of his minions. At length, 
having become extremely odious to the province, complaints regarding 
his unlawful acts were made to the home government, which eventually 
decided that he had exceeded his instructions in three points. In 1685, 
he went to Jamaica and from thence to England, and was afterwards 
appointed collector of customs at Barbadoes. Walter Barefoot, the 
deputy governor, succeeded him, — who, like his predecessor, found 
untold dilliculties in his government, — and retained the position till 
the organization of the new government over New England, ]May 25, 
1686, of \sliich Joseph Dudley was appointed presideiit. In D(^cember, 
Dudley was superseded by Sir Edmund Andros, whose tyrannical 
administration was fitly ended by his imprisonment and subsecpient 
removal, as a prisoner, to England, in 1690. Thus New Hampshire was 
left without a governor, and, March 13, a union was again formed with 
Massachusetts, which continued till 1693, when Samuel Allen, the pur- 
chaser of the Mason title, was appointed governor, and John Usher, a 
Boston bookseller, deputy; the latter of whom assumed the reins of 
power, which he used in a manner not very satisfactory to the people, 
being pompous and overbearing. He was superseded in January, 1698, 
by WiUiam Partridge, in the absence of AUen. Allen's administration, 
which commenced early in the summer of 1698, was one continued 
scene of altercation, which was reUeved by the arrival, July 31, 1699, 
of tlie Earl of Bellomont, as governor of New York, Massachusetts, 
and New Hampshire. For a period of forty-two years from this date. 
New Hampshire and Massachusetts had but one governor, though each 
state had its own council, its own assembly, and its own laws. The 
people had anticipated much good from the administration of this dis- 
tinguished nobleman, "who, though faithful to the king, never oppressed 
the people ; " but he was removed by deatli, about two years from his 
appointment, March 5, 1701. Joseph Dudley succeeded him as gover- 
nor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, July 13, 1703, and lusher 



NEW HAMPSIIIKK OUTLINES OF ITS HISTORY. obO 

was again appointed deputy the next year. No peculiar event of im- 
portance occurred during tlie administrations of George Vauglian as 
lieutenant-governor in 1716, Jolni Wentwortliin 1717, and David Dunbar 
in 1731, save what will be found in the previous and subsequent divis- 
ions of this chapter. With the decision of the boundary question in 
1741, the union with Massachusetts may be said to have been finally 
dissolved. Benning Wentworth was appointed governor. New Hamp- 
shire now embarked on a career of her own, and has given evidence, 
by subsequent events, that her capacities for improvement, in every con- 
cern which goes to form the greatness and glory of a people, were too 
little appreciated even by herself. In 1767, Benning Wentworth was 
removed by the British ministry on charges of neglect of duty, and 
John Wentworth, his nephew, a man esteemed by the people on account 
of his zeal in procuring a repeal of the stamp act, was appointed in his 
stead. During his administration occurred those stirring scenes and 
incidents which resulted in the Revolution. 

Early in the year 1719, the jjopulation of New Hampshire was 
increased by the arrival of several families of Scottish emigrants, whose 
ancestors, by royal patronage, had removed from Argyleshire, in the west 
of Scotland, about the beginning of the seventeenth century, to the 
counties of Londonderry and Antrim, in the north of Ireland. Here, 
however, persecution reached them during the reigns of Charles I. and 
James II.; and henceforth they yearned for some new home, where, 
while they might escape the exactions of political and religious oppres- 
sion, they could earn a living by honest toil. They heard that the New 
World offered such advantages; and, encouraged by hopes whicli were 
not altogether unfounded, one hundred and twenty families set sail for 
the promised haven, and arrived, some at Boston, and others at Portland, 
in safety. Sixteen of these families settled at Londonderry,' who were 
shortly increased by many others from home ; and from them have sprung 
more than twenty tliousand persons, who are to be found in almost every 
town in New Hampshire, and, in fact, in New England. These emi- 
grants brought with them all those striking characteristics which dis- 
tinguished their fathers, and which have won for them imperishable 
fame as men of piety, as ardent lovers of liberty, as heroes, statesmen, 
scholars, men of science, and men of honor. From them have sprung 
such men as Stark, Reed, M'Clary, Miller, and McNeil, and many others 
among the most distinguished of America's sons. 

' See article on Londonderry. 

VOL. I. 33 



;iS6 HISTORY AXD DESCIUPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 



JII. TlIK AVaKS WtTH THE LnDIAXS AXn WITH THE FrENXII, rnOM 1G75 TO THE 

Conquest of Canada, in 1700. 

Tliis (livisioi) of oni oliaptcr cnihraces a large portion of tlie history 
ot Nuw Hampsliire, as it does of most of the New England States. 
From 1675 to 1760, — a ]ieriod of eighty-five years, — the intermissions 
of peace, like gleams of sunshine in an equinoctial storm, were of short 
duration ; — a harassing contest had to be maintained by the colonists, 
not only against the savage warfare of the Indian, but against the de- 
signing plans of the French. If the patient endurance of every suffer- 
ing, and an indomitable perseverance under every danger, entitle a man 
to a home, then the pioneers of New England nobly won theirs. For 
nearly fifty years the Indians had left the white man unmolested ; but 
the narrowed Limits of their hunting-grounds and the growing power 
of the English awakened in them a sense of their condition, and a feel- 
ing of discontent was manifest, which Philip, the renowned warrior of 
Mount Hope, was not long in fanning into a flame.i Hostilities com- 
menced in June, 1675 ; and the war was carried into New Hampshire 
in September, by an attack on Somersworth. The settlers were filled 
with dread, and betook themselves to garrisons for protection. Desola- 
tion and death swept through the land, and it was feared that civiliza- 
tion would have to succumb to barbarism, when fortune favored the 
colonists, and Philip and his savage compeers met with a disastrous de- 
feat at Rhode Island. His death soon after, at the hands of Captain 
Church, was the harbinger of peace, which was ratified at Casco in 
1678. During this war, a number of Indians, who had come to con- 
firm a peace, were taken by stratagem by Major Richard Waldron of 
Dover, several of them hung, and others sold as slaves into Africa.^ 
The next Indian war, known as King William's war, commenced in 
16s9 and lasted till 1699. Dover was first attacked, and Major Wal- 
dron, who was tlie means of decoying the Indians, was most brutally 
murdered. The depredations extended into New Hampshire, Maine, 
Massachusetts, and even New York, and death and ruin followed in the 
trail of the Indian. 

Four years of peace ensued, when the war with the Frencli and In- 
dians, commonly called Queen Anne's war, burst upon the settlers, — 
their homes were desolated, and murder and rajiine were every-day 
events. In 1707, an attack, in which two companies from New Hamp- 

' The PLMiacooks die] ni.t taki- |i:irt in this war. 

' Some historians think Majui- Waldron shouhl not lie huld responsilile for this act ot" 
treachery. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLINES OF ITS HISTORY. 387 

shire took an active part, was projected against Port Royal, but met 
with a disastrous termination. A second expedition to that locality in 
1707 was successful ; but a very formidable one against Quebec, in 
1711, failed, owing to a cjuarrel among the officers. Hostilities ceased 
October 29, 1712. In 1723, Lovewell's war commenced, and is memo- 
rable for the contest known as " Lovewell's fight," ^ one of the most des- 
perate ever had with the Indians. This war was ended by the treaty of 
Falmouth, December 15, 1726. 

For the expedition to Louisburg, in 1745, the merit of originating 
which is claimed for William Vaughan of Portsmouth, New Hamp- 
shire raised ;£ 13,000, and furnished five hundred men (one eighth of 
the land-force), who carried a banner, bearing the pious inscri|)tion of 
Whitefield, " Nil desperandum, Christo duce." 2 Westmoreland, Keene, 
and Cliarlestown suffered daring this campaign from the French and 
Indians. Peace followed in 174S, by the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle.'' 
Jii 1755, New Hampshire furnished five hundred men, under command 
of Colonel Blanchard of Dunstable, for the service against Crown 
Point, which was increased shortly after by another regiment of three 
hundred men under Colonel Peter Gilman. The Indians attacked 
many of the frontier settlements during this campaign, and again in 
1756, when another expedition was projected against Crown Point, for 
which a regiment under Colonel Mcserve was raised. This vear were 
formed the celebrated companies of rangers, ixnder those distinguished 
leaders, Robert Rogers, and John and William Stark. For the reduction 
of Crown Point, in 1757, another regiment of New Hampshin^ men, 
again commanded by Colonel Mesei-ve,* was furnished, eighty of whom 
were murdered by the Indians, after the capitulation of Fort William 
Henry. Eight hundred men also served in the attempted reduction 
of Ticonderoga by Abercrombie ; and one thousand, under Colonel 
Zaccheus Lovewell, brother of Captain John Lovewell, the hero of 
Pequawket, were raised in 1759, and participated in the aciiial reduc- 
tion of Ticonderoga and Crown Point under General Amherst. In 
the campaign of 1760, when the conquest of Canada was fully com- 
pleted, eight hundred men, under Colonel John CtoITc, shared the honors 
of the siege. This ended the contest with France, and the people 
turned their attention to their peaceful occupations. 

' See artirle on Frveburg. Me., ante, p. 133. 

" Nothing is to be despaired of, under the command of Clirist. 

" By this treaty, Cape Breton, " won by Americans, was yivcn up to the French by the 
English." 

* Colonel Meservc died of the small-pox, when serving at the reduction of Loiiisbur<i-, 
in 1758. 



388' HISTORY AND DESCMl'TIUX OF XEW EXGLAXD. 



IV. The American- Revolution— Subsequext History, and Statistics. 

The events whicli were tlie precursors of the American Revolution 
are familiar to all; and hence a reference to them here is deemed super- 
fluous. New Hampshire took an early and prominent i)art in the strug- 
gle ; and her sons brouglit with them that indomitable will, that love of 
liberty, and that heroism, which had characterized them in preceding 
years, and which has clung to them to this day. The men of Xew 
Hampshire were actively engaged on every battle-field from Bunker-hill 
down to the surrender of Cornwallis in 1781 ; and at Stillwater, Sara- 
toga, Monmouth, and Bennington, they were particularly distinguished 
for their bravery. The enthusiasm and unanimity were everywhere 
unbounded, as will be noticed in future pages. John Stark, John Sul- 
livan, Alexander Scammel, Enoch Poor, Andrew M'Clar)-, Joseph Cilley, 
William Gregg, Thomas Stickney, Henry Dearborn, and George and 
James Reed were prominent officers of the New Hampshire forces. The 
province furnished 18,289 men for the revolutionary struggle, of whom 
12,496 belonged to the continental army, only 10,194 being required by 
Congress ; besides which she liberally contributed from her treasury. 

In January, 1776, a temporary government was formed at Exeter, 
consisting of a house of representatives, twelve of whom were chosen 
as a distinct branch, called the council, with power to elect their own 
president. It was ordained, that no act should be valid unless passed by 
both branches ; that all money bills should originate with the house of 
representatives ; that the secretary, and other public officers, should be 
chosen by the two houses ; that the present assembly should continue one 
year ; and that, if the dispute with Great Britain should continue, pre- 
cepts should be issued annually to the several towns on or before the 
first day of November, unless Congress should direct otherwise. A 
committee of safety, having the same powers as had been given by the 
convention in the preceding year, and varying in number from six to 
sixteen, was appointed at every adjournment, to sit in the recess, the 
president of which was to be the president of the council.^ During 
the war, Mesheeh Weare was annually elected to this responsible 
office, and was also appointed judge of the superior court. The 
Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776, was signed, on the part of 
New Hampshire, by Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, and Matthew 

' This form of government is said to have been the first maile by any of the colonii's 
after the Revohition commenced. There -were some material defects in it, one ot which 
was the want of an executive branch. To remedy this, the two houses, during their 
session, performed executive as well as legislative functions. 



NEW HAMPSUIRE OUTLINES OF ITS HISTORY. 389 

Thornton. The excitement after the close of the war, in regard to the 
ilejjreciution of paper-money, reached New Hampshire; and in 17S(j. 
while the assembly were in session, an armed party from the northern 
part of Rockingham county marched into their presence and en- 
deavored to awe the assembly into granting their demands, which were 
of the most extravagant character. Cieneral John SttUivan, the pres- 
ident, stated the reasons why the petitions could not be granted, as also 
that nothing could be acceded to while they were threatened by force 
of arms. The belligerent party made some unimportant demonstra- 
tions ; but at the cry of " Bring out the artillery ! " they flew in all direc- 
tions, and did not appear again that night. The next morning, forty of 
them were arrested by a company of horse ; but no action was ever 
taken against them. The Federal Constitution was discussed in a con- 
vention, held at Exeter for the first time on the second Wednesday of 
February, 1788, which adjourned to June following, in consequence 
of considerable opposition being manifested towards the instrument. 
"When the convention assembled the second time, after four days' delib- 
eration, the constitution was ratified by fifty-seven to forty-seven. Great 
interest was manifested in the proceedings, not only by the people of 
this state, but by those of other states. In 1789, General Washington 
visited New Hampshire. In 1791, a tax was assessed upon every town 
for the support of common schools, which was the first movement for 
the permanent establishment of those institutions of learning which are 
tlie pride and glory of the state. Post-offices, and more regular com- 
munication with the various towns, were also provided for by the same 
legislature. In 1792 the first bank was established, at Portsmouth, with 
a capital of $200,000. That year, the state constitution, adopted June 
2, 1784, was revised, and fifty out of seventy -four proposed amendments, 
which still form an important part of the fundamental law, were 
adopted. Though many events occurred during the remainder of the 
eighteenth century that had considerable bearing on the progress and 
importance of the state, the limited space of this chapter will not admit 
of particularization. The opening of the nineteenth century is noted 
for the formation of the Federal and Repitblican parties. In 1807, the 
seat of government, which had for a period of ninety-five years been 
permanently fixed at Portsmouth, was transferred to Concord. The year 
1808 brought a period of severe commercial distress, as well as excite- 
ment, in consequence of the embargo on shipping. 

In 1812 the war with England commenced, in which New Hamp- 
shire exhibited her usual zeal and patriotism. Generals Miller and 
McNeil, and Major Weeks, were distinguished officers in the war. In 
1814 was held tlie celebrated Hartford Convention, in which two New 
33* 



390 IIISTUUY AND DESCRII'TIOX OF NEW ENGLAND. 

Ilamppliirc delegates were present, not as representatives of the state, 
but of parties in tiie counties of Cliesiiire and C4rafton. 

In 1816, the famous Dartmouth College controversy, which grew out 
of ditierences between the president and board of trustees, and a desire 
on the part of the legislature to assvime the control of its affairs, com- 
menced with an act, on the part of the latter, to amend the charter, 
passed June 27, 1816. By the royal charter of December 13, 1769, the 
government of the college had been vested in twelve trustees. This act 
increased the board to twenty-one, which additional number, together 
with any existing vacancies, was to be filled by the governor and coun- 
cil. It established a board of twenty-five overseers, also to be appointed 
by the governor and council, with perpetual succession ; a treasurer and 
secretaries ; and made the members of either board removable at the 
will of the board, and the officers of the institution at the will of the 
tru-stees ; changed the name of the college to Dartmouth University, and 
authorized the governor and council to call the first meeting of the trus- 
tees and overseers the 26th of August following. The trustees refused 
to accept this change in the charter, or to act under it, and at once com- 
menced proceedings in the superior court to test the validity of the act, 
which was there decided against them. It was then carried up to the 
Supreme Court of the United States, where the distinguished abilities 
of Webster and Wirt, were employed, and the decision of the state 
court was reversed, as directly impairing the obligation of contracts. 
The final decree, although correct in principle, was met with disfavor by 
the people of the state. 

In the same year (1819) was effected the passage of the Toleration 
Act, which was received with gi-eat rejoicing by the friends of religious 
liberty, placing as it did all denominations on a footing of equality. 

About this time commenced another controversy, which, of no very 
great importance in itself, became somewhat signal in the annals of the 
state. This related to that portion of New Hampshire above the forty- 
fifth degree of north latitude, called the Indian Stream Territory, em- 
bracing from 140,000 to 150,000 acres of land, capable of being converted 
into good farms. As appears from the report of a legislative committee 
in 1824, this tract was inhabited by about fifty-eight settlers, who, with 
their families, made a population of 285 persons, having about 847 
acres under improvement. These settlers had entered at different periods 
since 1810, claiming under certain Indian deeds, the principal of which 
was that of Philii>, an old chief of the St. Francis tnbe, dated as far 
back as 1796. The general government, as early as that time, prohib- 
ited purchases of land from the Indians ; but it was claimed, that the 
grantors living without the jurisdiction of the United States made this 



NEAV HAMPSHIRE OUTLINES OF ITS HISTORY. 391 

case an exception to the rule. The chief objects of the settlers appeared 
to be to get possession of these lands, and to be without the taxation and 
jurisdiction of any government. Their hope was that neither Great 
Britain nor the United States would lay claim to tiie tract, owing to 
the ditRculty of putting a construction upon the clause in the treaty of 
1783 defining the boundary, namely: "Along the highlands wliii-h 
divide the rivers emptying themselves into the St. Lawrence from those 
falling into the Atlantic Ocean, to the northwesternmost head of Con- 
necticut river, thence down the middle of that river to the forty-fifth 
degree of north latitude." By the convention of 1827, the cjucstion of 
tiie whole northeastern boundary was referred to the king of the Neth- 
erlands, whose award in respect to this part of the line threw this whole 
tract upon the Canada side. But, as " the head of the Connecticut," 
which he adopted, did not approach the highlands, the people of New 
Hampshire were dissatisfied, and, as the award was rejected by tiie 
United States, the whole question was left open to further difficulty. 

In 1820, the state, owing to the settlers here resisting process issuing 
in CoiJs county, of which the tract was regarded as forming a part, had 
asserted a title and jurisdiction, by a resolution directing the attorney- 
general to proceed against intruders; and again, in 1824, by an express 
declaratory act, in which also it released title to every actual settler of 
two hundred acres, reserving, of course, all other portions to itself. 
After the award mentioned above, of ■\vhich, iiowever, Great Britain 
does not appear to have taken the advantage, the difficulties with the 
settlers increased, on account of their resistance of process for levy of 
taxes in Coos, through Canadian inffiience, as it was alleged, although 
there is no evidence that the provincial government was implicated in 
the matter. In consequence of tiie threatening position of affairs, the 
state sent troops to the territory in 1834 or 1835, and order was restored 
without any serious conflict. The state footed the bills; and, in 1849, 
Congress satisfied the state's claim by paying ^7,000. The next year, 
an attempt was made to recover interest on this sum from the year 
1836, which, after being more than once refused, was allowed by Con- 
gress in January, 1852, with a proviso that the amount should not 
exceed the sum of $6,000. But, in disposing of the questions, grow- 
ing out of the claims on the part of settlers here, resort was had to the 
su]jeiior court of New Hampshire. In a decision given in this court in 
1840, by Chief Justice Parker, the jurisdiction asserted by the state 
was affirmed, and was held to refer back, in the absence of any subse- 
quent grant, to the period of separation from Great Britain, and conse- 
quently carried with it all title to the lands. This decision practically 
settled the question; and the jurisdiction thus maintained was acquiesced 



392 HISTORY AND liESCHII'TIOX OF NEW EXGLAXD. 

ill by Great Britain and tlie United States in the Aslilmrton treaty, 
made the next year, wliieh laid down the line as claimed by this state. 

In 1825, the legislature authorized the appointment of commissioners 
to ascertain, survey, mark, and renew the boundary line between this 
state and Massachusetts, Aviiieh was completed by 1829. In 1827, the 
same was ordered with regard to the jNIaine line, wliich was also com- 
pleted in 1829. 

Among the noticeable events in the history of the state was the sensa- 
tion produced by a doctrine- persistently maintained in her courts, and 
which seemed likely to produce collision between national and state 
jurisdictions. Several suits were commenced under the bankrupt law 
of 1841, raising the question, whether attachment of property under state 
process secured it from the operation of this law. By the laws of New 
Hampshire, an attachment constituted a lien or security equally valid 
with a mortgage. The bankrupt act gave to the district courts of the 
United States jurisdiction of " all cases and controversies in bankruptcy."' 
In the ex parte case of John S. Foster,^ a petitioner in bankruptcy, 
brought in the District Court of the United States for Massachusetts, 
in 1842, Judge Story held that an attachment on mesne process gives 
the creditor only a sort of lien, but not such as to prevent the operation 
of the bankrupt act ; that such creditor could not, by a mere race of dili- 
gence, after proceedings in bankruptcy had been instituted, overreach and 
defeat the rights of the other creditors ; and that the court would, if nec- 
essary, grant an injunction against his proceeding further in the suit than 
to protect his ulterior rights ; in other words, compel him to await the 
result of bankrupt proceedings before he could get a decision in his own 
case. The superior court of New Hampshire thereupon decided, in the 
case of Kittredge v. Warren,^ in the year 1844, that an attachment did 
constitute a lien or security which took the property out of the general 
provisions of the bankrupt act ; and that a certificate of discharge of the 
bankrupt could not operate as an absolute bar to the further maintenance 
of the action by the attaching creditor. Reviewing this decision in the 
case of Peck and Bellows,^ the same year, Judge Story treated it as a 
nullity, and further asserted the paramount aitthority of the United States 
courts. Immediately, the superior court of New Hampshire, in the case 
of Kittredge v. Emerson,* more fully reviewing its own and the counter 
decisions, held that the judgment of a court in one of the United States, 
having jurisdiction of a cause, is binding in every other court itntil 
reversed by a competent tribunal ; that the judgment or order of a court 

' 2 Story, 131. ' 14 N. II. Rep. 500. 

^ 7 Law Reporter, 119. ' 15 N. H. Rep. 227. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLIXES OF ITS HISTORY. o9o 

having no jurisdiction is void ; that tlie courts of the I'nitcd States could 
not treat the judgments of the state courts as nullities ; and that the only 
proper remedy, when aggi-ieved by the judgment of a state court, is by a 
writ of error to the Supreme Court of the United States. The court fur- 
ther intimated its readiness to protect its own proceedings by counter 
injunctions, and such other authority as might be required. Another 
decision ^ followed vtpon each side, not essentially varying the result. 
Though the danger of a collision of more than words had been immi- 
nent, a prudence on the part of the District Court prevented it from 
attempting to enforce its decrees. In 1849, the case of Peck v. Jenness 
was carried by writ of error to the Supreme Court of the United States, 
and the rulings of the New Hampshire courts were sustained.- 

New Hampshire has had reason to be proud of her judiciary, in spite 
of the constant changes in the organization of her courts. No less than 
seven fundamental alterations have been made since the year 1813. 
The courts, as established after the adoption of the constitution in 1791, 
were the superior court of judicature, consisting of a chief justice and 
three associates, appointed by the president and the council ; the court 
of common pleas, composed of four judges, appointed in the same 
way, to hold courts in each county, having cognizance of all suits relating 
to real estate, and all personal actions where the damages claimed ex- 
ceeded forty shillings ; and the com-ts of general sessions of the peace, 
one in each county, to be conservators of the peace, to punish offenders, 
to make orders for raising any moneys for erecting and repairing county 
buildings, for payment of jurors, and other matters connected with the 
administration of county business. 

In 1813, the supreme judicial court was established to take tlie place 
of the superior court, with achief jitstice, andtwo, instead of three, asso- 
ciate justices, — to be held annually in every county. The eastern and 
western circuits were organized, and the circuit court of common pleas, 
with a chief justice and two associates, in place of the common pleas 
court as previously constituted. In 1816, the supreme judicial court 
was abolished, and the superior court and the common pleas restored. 
In 1819, original and exclusive jurisdiction Avas given the superior court 
in all real actions, and original and concurrent jurisdiction with the 
common pleas in all personal actions above fifty dollars. The common 
pleas were to have final and conclusive jurisdiction in all }iersonal 
actions where the damages did not exceed twenty-five dollars. In 1820, 
the jurisdiction of the common pleas was transferred to the superior 

' The City Bank of New Orloans 7 Law Rep. 5.33 (year 1844) ; Peck ct al. v. 
.Jeiiiiess et al. 8 Law Kep. 344 (year 1S4.5). 
- 7 Howard's Rep. CI 2. 



394 IIISTOUY AXD DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

court, and a c(nirt of possionscreafi-tl in place of the common plca^^, with 
a chief justice and four associates, and two persons in each county as 
associate judges for that county. In 1824, the court of common pleas 
was restored, and all the powers of the court of sessions were transferred 
to it. In 1832, the ordinary business of the superior court was trans- 
ferred to the court of common pleas, of which the superior judges were 
to be ex officio the justices, with two others to be appointed in each 
county. The superior judges were to have chancery powers, were to 
hold one law term annually in each county, and preside at the county 
courts. In 1841, circuit justices of the common pleas were established. 

This system continued iintil 1855, wdicn the superior court, and the 
common pleas with its circuit justices and side judges, were superseded 
by the supreme judicial court, consisting of a chief justice and four asso- 
ciates, and the common pleas court, composed of a chief justice and two 
associates; the justices of the supreme court being ex officio justices of 
the common pleas, and having authority to hold terms thereof only in 
cases of accident and necessity. The jurisdiction of the common pleas 
is substantially as that of the old court ; but in civil actions, where the 
damages claimed do not exceed one hundred dollars, it has exclusive 
and final jurisdiction, exceptions in matters of law being allowed to the 
supreme court. Where the damages exceed one hundred dollars, an 
appeal on the facts lies to the supreme court. The court of common 
pleas is held by one or more of the judges twice a year in each county. 
The supreme court has extensive equity jurisdiction, and exclusive juris- 
diction in all criminal cases, except in cases cognizable by justices of 
the peace and police courts. A single judge of the supreme court holds 
a jury term twice a year in each county, except in capital cases, which 
re(iuire two or more justices. For the determination of questions of 
law, the state is divided into five judicial districts, (each made up of two 
counties,) in each of which districts two terms are held annually. Three 
justices constitute a quorum, and the concurrence of three is necessary 
to a decision in law. 

By the constitution, the adoption of which has before been noticed, 
the government is vested in a governor, a council of five, a senate 
composed of twelve members, and a house of representatives, — all to be 
elected annually. The state is now divided into five councillor, and 
twelve senatorial, districts. Every town having 150 ratable polls may 
choose one representative, with the allowance of an additional represent- 
ative for every three hundred additional polls. The election takes place 
on the second Tuesday in March, and the government year begins on the 
first Wednesday in .Tune. The constitution makes it the duty of the 
selectmen of towns, once in seven years, to submit to the inhabitants 



NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLINES OF ITS HISTORY. 39') 

tliercof the question of a revision of that instriunent, fuiliag to do whieli, 
it was made incumbent upon the legislature to take the sense of tlie 
people. This body, not regarding the terms of the article as restrictive, 
have passed resolves much oftener for the purpose; but the people have 
always failed to see any necessity of calling a convention until 1850. 
Among the proposed alterations in 1792 was that of the articles which 
make a belief in the Protestant religion essential to being a member of 
either of the three coordinate branches of government; but the people 
refused to accept the amendment. At the last convention, these amend- 
ments were proposed again, but shared the same fate as in 1792. In 
1852, sixty years from the adoption of the constitution, three amend- 
ments only of a large number that had just been submitted to tlie people 
were declared to be adopted. These eftected the abolition of projjerty 
qualifications for the executive and legislative departments. 

New Hamjjshire has maintained her reputation for the production of 
heroic and talented sons. She has freely given them to the service of 
the state, learned in jurisprudence and diplomacy. Biie has sent them 
to the national councils, to the executive chair at Washington, and to 
bless her sister states with wise counsel and high administrative ability. 
Although her greatest and most lamented son sleeps at Marshlield, 
away from her vales, and in the state of his adoption, she has yet other 
sons on the world's wide stage w'ho will not dishonor her good name, 
l)ut are daily bearing testimony to her noble character as a mother, and, 
by their superemincnt ability and integrity, increasing the estimation in 
which she is held. 

Having dwelt, perliaps, too long on the recent history of New Ilamp- 
sliire, in whii-h, happily, no tragical or remarkably stirring events have 
occurred, it only remains to add the statistics of her population, — of her 
natural and developed resources, — her agriculture and manufactures, — 
her railroads, banks, and other monuments and channels of industry 
and wealth, — and her institutions of learning, humanity, and religion. 

This state has ten counties and 231 towms. Of the towns, six were 
incorporated before the year 1700, 188 within the next century, and 
thirty-seven since the year 1800. 

As no general enumeration of the people had ever been made prior 
to 1790, the estimates for earlier periods are merely conjectural, being 
based upon the ratio of increase, and, for that reason, too unreliable 
to l)e given for the earliest dates. In 1701, one of the estimates sets 
down "tlie population of this state at 10,000; in 1749, at 30,000; in 
1755, at 34,000 ; in 1775, 102,000, of which number 629 were slaves. 
The ratio of increase for this period of seventy-four years was more 
than twelve per cent, annually. In 1790, there were 141,111 whites, 



396 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION* OF XEW EXGLAXD. 

630 free colored persons, and 158 slaves; in 1800, 182,898 whites, 
856 free colored, and eight slaves; in 1810, 213,390 whites, 970 free 
colored. No slaves were reported at this or any subsequent census, 
except one in 1830, and this return was probably nominal. In 1820, 
there were 243,236 whites, and 786 free colored ; in 1830, 268,721 
whites, and 604 free colored ; in 1840, 284,036 whites, and 537 free 
colored ; and in 1850, 317,456 whites, and 520 free colored ; from which 
it appears, that, during this period of sixty years, the increase of the 
white population has been about 125 per cent., or a maximum of thirty 
j)er cent., during one decennial period, while there has been a constant 
decrease in the colored population since 1810. Of the population by 
the last census, 258,132, or about eighty-one per cent., were born within 
the state; 44,925, or fourteen per cent., in other states; and 14,257, or 
about fotir and a half per cent., in foreign countries. 

In the New Hampshire Register for 1858, an interesting table is 
given of the tAventy-t\vo towns which have led in population at the 
several enumerations that have been made, exhibiting striking changes 
in the order of their rank at successive periods. During a period of 
eighty-three years, fifty-four different towns have been included within 
the class of twenty-two ; six only of the original twenty-two towns 
of the census of 1767 are retained in the census of 1850, in which 
latter census, a town heads the list that did not apjjear at all in the 
Table for 1830. 

In the financial administration of affairs, the state stands in the first 
rank of commonwealths. She is one of the four New England states, 
and one of six in the Confederacy, that has no absolute or contingent 
debt. The floating debt, June 2, 1857, above available funds, amounted 
to §74,778.55. The receipts for 1854-5 were $179,488.18; for 1855-6, 
§218,272.44; for 1856-7, §209.469.41; the expenditures for the same 
years were respectively §157,807.69, §199,052.90, and §192,961.66. 
The balance of cash in the treasury for the last year was §16,507.75, 
with ample convertible resources for extinguishing all indebtedness. 
Of the above sources of income, the railroad tax was a large item, 
being for the three years mentioned §61,480.01, §54,356.32, and 
§49,162.02. 

In its industrial features, New Hampshire is by no means inferior to 
her sister states. The principal occupation of the people is in subduing 
a hard, silicious surface, and extorting from its reluctant lap the bread of 
toil. While this state, like the rest of New England, wears upon its 
face coldness and sterility, it compares favorably in the results of hus- 
handry. In 1850, it had 29,229 farms, 2,251,488 acres of improved 
land, and only 1,140,926 acres unimproved, or two thirds of it under 



NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLINES OF ITS HISTORY. 397 

cultivation ; while Maine has a little less than one half of her territory 
so treated. The average area of a farm was 116 acres, and its value 
|1,890 ; the aggi-egate cash value of all the farms in the state was 
$55,245,997, with $2,314,325 added for farming imjjlements and ma- 
chinery. New Hampshire is as far behind her sister Vermont in 
the aggregate value of nearly all her staples, as before her in the 
niimber of acres covered with granite. The value of live-stock was 
§S,871,901; of meat and poultry, $1,522,873. There were raised 
185,658 bushels of wheat, 183,117 of rye, 973,381 of oats, 1,573,670 
of corn, 3,207,236 of potatoes, 598,854 tons of hay, 257,174 pounds of 
hops, 6,977,056 of butter, 3,196,563 of cheese, 1,298,863 of maple sugar, 
and 1,108,476 pounds of wool. Agriculture is receiving more attention 
as a science, under the fostering care of several county societies, as 
also of the State Agricultural Society, which was incorporated in 1850, 
and has enlisted the interest of learned and practical men. 

But Providence intended that New Hampshire, with her vast water 
power, should not stand in the rear rank of industry ; and has conse- 
quently called forth the loom, the spindle, and forge to elaborate their 
curious and ponderous work, their products of utility and beauty. This 
state ranks the seventh in the amount of capital employed in maiui- 
factures, mining, and the mechanic arts, having $18,242,114 so invested. 
The operatives number 14,103 males and 12,989 females, receiving 
$6,123,876 as wages, and turning out an annual product of $23,164,503. 
There arc 810,950,500 capital employed in the cotton manufacture ; 
83,026 bales of cotton annually consumed; $4,839,429 as the value 
of the raw material; 2,911 male, and 9,211 female operatives, with an 
annual product of $8,830,619 upon capital and labor invested. In the 
cotton manufacture. New Hampshire has the second place. There are 
$2,437,700 of capital employed in the woollen manufacture; 3,604,100 
pounds of wool; 926 male, and 1,201 female operatives; and 
$2,127,745 is the value of the manufactured articles. In the iron 
manufacture §232,700 is employed, and the annual value of the manu- 
factured article is 8371,710. These returns of the last census probably 
fall short of the real amount ; but are sufficient to indicate the spirit of 
enterprise which has accompanied these branches of industry since 1840, 
at which time manufacturing operations had but just commenced. 

In her maritime interests, New Hampshire is, with one exception — 
Vermont — far behind all the other New England States, having but 
eighteen miles of sea-coast, and Portsmouth as her only port of entry. 
The number of vessels built for the year ending June 30, 1856, was 
ten ; the tonnage was 10,395 tons; the imports were valued at $24,339, 
and the exports at $5,275. 

\"0L. I. 34 



o9S III.STiiUY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW" ENGLAND. 

Nt'w Iluiiipshirc has (Soil miles of railroad, whic-li c-ost §;19,766,-40-j, 
notwithstanding at the outset she "set her face like a flint" against 
taking private lands for railroads except by purchase. When, however, 
it was jiroposed to extend a road from Boston around the corner of the 
state into Vermont, then, presto, if any advantage was to be derived, 
she was ready to reap it with others. This reluctance, ostensibly based 
iij)on sound principles of justice and economy, but really perhaps u|)on 
a ])revailing feeling of opposition to any corporate monopolies, gave 
rise to the system of management, still pursued by the state, making all 
railroad corporations which are unable to purchase the lands over which 
the road is projected, public corporations. By a statute of 1844 and 
several subse<[ueut ones, a board of railroad commissioners was estab- 
lished. To which all applications for roads are referable ; and, in case 
they think the public good requires the road, and the governor and coun- 
cil concur in this opinion, a lease of a right to construct and use the 
road, running for a term not less than one hundred nor more than two 
hundred years, is executed by the governor and council under the seal 
of the state, at the end of which term the right reverts to the state. 
The state may terminate the lease, and resume all the right and privi- 
lege of the corporation in any road at the end of twenty years, upon 
one year's notice, and paying the corporation any amount in the cost of 
construction and expenses not met by its earnings, and ten per cent, 
interest thereon. The lease may be renewed at the end of any term, in 
the same manner as the original lease shall have been obtained. 

There are fifty-two banks, with a capital of 85,031,300 ; twenty-two 
savings institutions, and twenty mutual fire insurance companies. 
There are 371 post-ofiices. The length of mail routes is 1,959 miles, 
on which is an annual transportation of 1,009,632 miles, costing 
$47,946 for the year ending June 30, 1856. 

A good system of education is being rapidly developed in New Hamp- 
shire, and much attention has been given of late to teachers' institutes, 
twenty of which were held in the ten counties of the state in the year 
ending with July, 1858, attended by 1,900 teachers. The county com- 
missioners of schools constitute a board of education, the office of school 
commissioner having been abolished in 1850. The school report for the 
year 1857-8 gives returns from 232 towns. The number of districts 
was 2,343 ; of scholars, 96,199 ; male teachers, 1,031 ; female teachers, 
3,032; volumes in school, district, or town libraries, 44,756. The 
amount raised from all sources for the support of public sciiools was 
§233,888.11, or 62.86 to each scholar; of which 817,145.92 was the 
amount raised by towns beyond what the law requires ; 815,833.31 
were contributed in board, fuel, and money to prolong the schools beyond 



NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLINES OF ITS HISTORY. 399 

the time authorized by town tax ; •^7,527.94 were the income of local 
funds ; §2,207.67 income from surplus revenue ; $23,690.32 income of 
the literary fund used ; and $3,667.96 were from the railroad tax. 

There are one college, three theological schools, one medical sc1rh)1, 
and 107 academies and private schools. The total annual income of 
the college was, in 1850, $11,000; and of the academies and private 
schools, $43,202. 

For another class o( schools of regretted necessity, — the reformatory 
and sanitary institutions, — we give the following items. The State 
Prison, since its establishment in 1812, has received 1,057 convicts, 
of whom 515 were discharged, 343 were pardoned, sixty died, sixteen 
escaped, and two were removed to the Insane Asylum. The number 
received during the year ending May 31, 1858, was forty-nine, making 
1 he whole number in prison at that date 110. The receipts and earn- 
ings of the institution for the year were $9,884.59 ; the expenses, 
■'?7,327.47. The whole number admitted into the Insane Asylum, from 
its opening in 1843, has been 1,552, of whom 696 have been reported 
recovered, 295 partially recovered, 236 unimproved, 158 deceased, and 
1G9 remaining under treatment, May 31, 1858, ninety-seven of the last 
number being received during the year. 

The legislature of 1855 passed an act establishing the House of 
Reformation for Juvenile and Female OtTendcrs, to be constructed at 
a cost not exceeding 815,000, in such form as to accommodate 125 boys 
and twenty-five females, and to admit of enlargement when neces- 
sary. The " Stark Farm," at Manchester, was selected as a site, and 
the main building, which is a neat brick edifice, was completed and 
dedicated to its legitimate use. May 12, 1858. 

The last census report gave to New Hampshire 626 churches or 
religious societies, but has so confused some of the denominations, 
that it is impossible to rely upon it for details.^ The latest documents 
of the principal denominations return 190 ortliodox Congregational 
churches or societies, eight Presbyterian, ninety-one Methodist, ninety- 
one Baptist, 127 Free-will Baptist, seventy-three Universalist, sixteen 
Unitarian, fourteen Episcopal, twenty-four Christian, fifteen Friends, 
two Shakers, eleven Roman Catholic, and thirty-eight Union and mis- 
cellaneous, making a total of seven hundred. The total value of churcii 
j)roperty probably exceeds one and a half million dollars. 

But last, though not least, may be noticed, the natural scenerv of (he 

' The " Congregational," " Unitarian," and " Orthodox Congregational," arc set down 
as three denominations, with no chnrehcs to tlie last named, and only ten in the Uniti'd 
States: wliile the Baptists and Free-will Baptists — quite distinct in their faith and 
order — ■ arc thrown into a heterogeneous mass. 



400 HISTORY AND DESCRIJ'TION OF NEW EXGLAXD. 

titate, wliicli has won for it the iiaino of the Switzerland of Amcriia. It 
has its quiet valleys, and romantic and pastoral glens ; its lakes, streams, 
and watercourses, — all of surpassing loveliness. No one who has lin- 
gered by the enchanted shores of Lake Winnepesaukee, and gazed upon 
its broad expanse, dotted with nitmerous islands and gleaming in the rays 
of the rising and setting sun, will deny the appropriateness of its name 
— "beautiful lake of the high land." The principal rivers are the Con- 
necticut and the Merrimack; the latter, with its countless tributaries, 
furnishing an immense water-power, and propelling more machinery 
than any other river or stream on the continent of America. New 
Hampshire has also its hills and mountains: the latter bold, sublime, 
enduring monuments of the creative power, from the lofty summits of 
which the eye surveys one of the wildest and most enchanting countries 
of the world. From Mount Washington and its majestic comjjeers, the 
prospect is noble and extensive, only bounded on the one hand by the 
dim distance of the ocean, and on the other by the horizon resting on the 
land. From these eminences, rocks piled on rocks clothed in gigantic 
forest growths and shrubbery, — placid lakes, embosoming countless ver- 
dant islets, and pleasant valleys and farm-lands in the highest state of 
cultivation, — successively meet the eye ; while the foaming cataract and 
the leaping cascade, now rushing down the slopes and dashing through 
the vales, now subsiding into the gently gliding streams, and anon swell- 
ing into rivers, coursing through the plains and winding their way to the 
sea, — all serve to dissipate the weariness of the traveller, make his feet 
nimble as his heart is gay, and develop in him pedestrian capacities 
which he never dreamed he possessed, — to lighten the toil of the sturdy 
yeoman, add length to his years and vividness to his imagination, and 
moitld the sons of hard-handed industry into the poets, orators, and 
statesmen who direct the energies of a vast republic. 



CHAPTER VI. 

ABORIGINi\X TRIBES OF JCEW HAMPSHIRE. 

The native tribes of New Hampshire all belonged to the Abiiaki 
nation ; but seem to have had a separate government, and independent ot 
those who lived east of the Piscataqua river. They were divided into 
several tribes. Those living along the Merrimaclc were the Agawams, 
the Wamesits or Pawtuckets, the Nashuas, the Souhegans, the Nama- 
oskeags, the Penaeooks, and the Winnepesaukees. At the souree of 
tlie Connecticut river were the Cooash Indians, tlie only tribe that oc- 
cupied the banks of the river when discovered by the whites. There is a 
tradition, that a great many tribes besides these had their residence along 
the banks of this river; but that they had been j)rincipally extermi- 
nated in the wars with the Mohawks, and by the plague of 1616-17. 
Tliose that lived in the eastern ))art of the state were the Pequaquaukes, 
sometimes called Pequawkets, wlu) inhabited a part of Maine; the 
Ossipees, the Squamscotts, the Winnecowetts, and the Piseata(|uas. 
The population of these tribes, either individually or collectively, is not 
known; in fact, there is no certainty that an estimate of their numbers 
was ever made by any authority from the period of the establishment of 
the first colonial governments. 

The most powerful tribe was the Penaeooks, who occupied the tract 
of land known by that name, part of which is now Concord ; but in 
process of time, in consequence of the reduction of the smaller tribes l)y 
war, emigration, and the influences of civilization, those who occupietl 
the Merrimack valley were merged into one tribe, and were called indis- 
criminately Penaeooks. Namaoskeag was the site of the principal 
village, as is evident from the large number of Indian relics there found ; 
and here was the royal residence of the ancient sagamores of the Pena- 
eooks. At the mouth of the Piscatacjuog river was another considerable 
village, and so again at or near the outlet of Lake Winnepesaukee. 
There were other and smaller settlements along the Merrimack as far as 
the Souhegan river; and in Bedford, on Carthagena island, and ojjposite 
34* (401) 



402 IIISTUIIY AND DE.SCKIl'TION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

till' mouth of tlie Cous river, traces of Indian villages were to be seen 
until recently. The sites of the villages were selected with regard to 
the fertility of the soil, the sufliciency of game, and the quanitity of 
fish which abounded in the rivers and streams ; nor was the beauty of 
the surrounding scenery lost sight of, as can be seen even at this day ; 
the changes of a century of civilization having left their natural beauties 
scarcely impaired. 

The sagamores of most note among the Penacooks were Passacon- 
away, Wonnalancet, his son, and Kancamagus, usually called John 
Hodgkins, his grandson. The first heard of Passaconaway was in 1(VJ7 
or 1628, perhaps earlier, if the Conway whom Christopher Levett saw 
in the vicinity of the Piscataqua in 1623 be the same person, as is snj)- 
posed to be the case, from the fact that when Massachusetts desired to 
aiTest him in 1642, directions were given to proceed to Ipswich, Rowley, 
and Newbury, — sufficient evidence that he had a residence at each of 
those places.' Passaconaway had a great influence over the people who 
acknowledged his sway. Besides being a powerful warrior, he was an 
expert necromancer, which of itself, considering the superstitious and 
untutored minds of the savages, was enough to win for him the highest 
veneration and the greatest awe. He died prior to 1669 ; but the exact 
date is not known. He lived on terms of the greatest intimacy with the 
English, despite the encroachments they made upon his lands; and his 
last wish to his people was that they should never make war upon the 
whites. His powers of eloquence were of the highest order, as will be 
seen from the following extract,^ which is made from his farewell address, 
delivered before a vast assemblage of his followers in 1660 : — 

" Hearken to the words of your father. I am an old oak, that has 
withstood the storms of more than a hundred winters. Leaves and 
branches have been stripped from me by the winds and frosts, — my 
eyes are dim, — my limbs totter, — I must soon fall ! But when young 
and sturdy, when my bow no young man of the Penacooks could bend, 
— w lien my arrows woitld pierce a deer at a hundred yards, and I 
could bury my hatchet in a sapling to the eye, — no wigwam had so 
many furs, no pole so many scalp-locks, as Passaconaway's. Tlien 1 
delighted in war. The whoop of the Penacooks was heard on the 
INIohawk, — and no voice so loud as Passaconaway's. The scalps upon 
the pole of my wigwam told the story of Mohawk suffering. 

"The oak will soon break before the whirlwind, — it shivers and 
shakes even now ; soon its trunk will be prostrate, — the ant and the 

1 Sec Wintliroj/s Journal. 2 Potter's liist. Manchester, pp. 5y-fil. 



ABORIGINAL TRIIiES OF :SEW HAMI'-SHIUE. 403 

worm will sport upon it ! Then Tliinlc, rny children, of what I say! I 
commune with the Great Spirit. lie whispers me now: 'Tell your 
people, Peace — peace, is the only hope of your race. I have given lire 
and thunder to the pale-faces for weapons, — 1 have made thciu plen- 
Tier than the leaves of the forest ; and still shall they increase. These 
meadows they shall turn with the plough, — these forests shall fall by 
the axe, — the pale-faces shall live upon your hunting-grounds, and make 
their villages upon your fishing-places.' The Great Spirit says this, and 
it must be so ! We are few and powerless before them ! We must 
bend before the storm! The wind blows hard! The old oak trembles, 
its branches are gone, its sap is frozen, it bends, it falls I Peace — 
peace, with the white man ! — is the command of the Great Spirit ; 
and the wish — the last wish, of Passaconaway." 

Wonnalancet was chief of the tribe in 16(39, and lived ou terms of 
the greatest intimacy with the white settlers. He preferred peace to 
war, and seems to have been impressed very strongly with the advice of 
his-father. He appears to have been of a most amiable disj)osition, to a 
much greater extent than many of his more civilized neighbors. He 
was imprisoned by the English in 1642, and, though subjected to many 
indignities, he never offered retaliation. As a specimen of the goodness 
of his heart, it may be said, that, in 1659, he sold his home to purchase 
the liberty of his brother Nanamocomuck, wdio was imprisoned in Bos- 
ton for debt. He embraced the Christian religion, through the ministra- 
tions of Mr. Eliot, in 1674, and is said to have lived up to it strictly. 
About September, 1677, Wonnalancet, finding the lands which the 
English had granted him taken possession of, retired to the Indian set- 
tlement of St. Francis. The last that is heard of him is in 1696, when 
he was placed under the charge of Jonathan Tyng of Tyngsborough. 
It is probable that subsequently he retired again to St. Francis, where 
he passed the remainder of his days. 

Wonnalancet was sitcceeded by his nephew, Kancamagus, about May 
15, 1685, shortly after the removal of the former to St. Francis for the 
first time. This chief was more generally known as John Hodgkins, 
and was the son of Nanamocomuck, Passaconaway's eldest son. He 
was a politic, brave, and intelligent man ; but under his chieftaincy the 
Pennacooks became a formidable foe to the English settlers, which was 
owing, in a measure, to a want of respect on the part of the provincial 
authorities; for it is certain, from various letters sent to Governor Cran- 
field, that Kancamagits desired to retain the friendship of the English. 
He was the leader of the massacre at Dover, when Major Waldron was so 
brutally murdered, June 27, 1689, and took part in several other attacks 
upon the English settlements. His wife and cliildren were taken pris- 



404 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAXD. 

oners by the English in Soptembor, 1690, and his sister was slain. 'J'he 
liist that is heard of him is in 1691, when he signed the truce of Saga- 
dahoc, shortly after which, it is supposed, he died. 

After the affair at Dover, the Indians, as a general thing, retired from 
Ihe precincts of New Hampshire; and thus the ancient royal residence 
of the Pennacooks became comparatively deserted. The place at Nama- 
oskeag was occupied as late as 1745 by one Indian, named Christian, 
who was employed by the English during the Indian wars as a scout, 
and subsequently retired, with others of his tribe, to St. Francis. He 
was afterwards, however, concerned in some depredations on the Eng- 
lish settlements, and was one of those who decoyed two negroes from 
Canterbury, in 1752. The last heard of him was in 1757, when he was 
at St. Francis, where he probably died. The spot occupied by Chris- 
tian's wigwam is still shown at Amoskeag Falls, where the relics of his 
liearthstone, — his pipes, arrow-heads, and ornaments, consisting of 
bears' teeth, together with his tomahawk, — have been brought to light. 

Thus the aboriginal inhabitants, who held the lands of New Hamp- 
shire as their own, have been swept away. Long and valiantly did 
they contend for the inheritance bequeathed to them by their fathers; 
but fate had decided against them, and it was all in vain. With bitter 
feelings of unavailing regret, the Indian looked for the last time upon 
the happy places where for ages his ancestors had lived and loved, re- 
joiced and wept, and passed away, to be known no more forever. The 
wild beasts, who shared with him the forests, and were molested only 
when required to minister to his wants, have also disappeared. The 
forests have melted away; and the broad intervals, slopes, and uplands, 
from the Piscataqua to the Connecticut, affording sustenance to a teem- 
ing ])opulation, attest the change that a century has wrought. The 
waterfalls, too, have been made to resound with the music of spindles 
and of wheels, and the streets have become marts of traffic. Civiliza- 
tion has followed the same course here as in all other countries reclaimed 
from barbarism, by blotting out the original inhabitants and planting 
another race. The native tribes of New Hampshire fulfflled their mis- 
sion, and passed away. We too shall pass away, and other busy feet 
will tread upon our graves, as thoughtless of us as wc are now of the 
sleeping dust of the red man. 



CHAPTER VII. 

COlTv'TIES, CITIES, AND TOWNS OF NEW IIAJIPSHIRE.' 

AcwoRTii, in the southwestern part of Suhivaa eounty, is forty-lour 
miles west from Concord. It received its charter in 1766, although it 
was not permanently settled until the summer of 1768, when three 
families, — Samuel Harper, William Keyes, and John Rogers, — with 
some other individuals, principally from Londonderry, N. H., arrived. 
They were followed the year after by some families from ■Wiiidiiain 
and Ashford, Conn. As the settlement of Acworth took place at the 
time of the commencement of the difficulties which brought on the 
American Revolution, its progress in wealth and population was very 
much retarded. At the close of the contest, however, other families 
were added to those already in town, and the settlement advanced. 

The soil of Acworth is well adapted to the pursuit of agriculture, 
which is generally followed by the inhabitants. Cold river, affording 
several mill privileges, is the only stream worthy of mention. Large 
crystals of beryl have been found, and the town has become somewhat 
celebrated on that account. There are two villages — Acworth and 
South Acworth; three church edifices — Congregational, Bajitist, iiiul 
Methodist; thirteen school districts; and two post-offices — Acworth 
and South Acworth: also, the Acworth boot and shoe company; five 
saw-mills, one grist-mill, one woollen factory, one bobbin factory, and 
oiie peg factory. Population, 1,251 ; valuation, •$439,393. 

Albany, in the western part of Carroll county, bounded on the east 
by Conway, is seventy-five miles from Concord. The abundance of 
otter and beaver on the streams in Albany rendered this place a fa- 
vorite resort of the Indians, who considered these animals rich game. 
It was granted in 1766, by the name of Burton, to Clement March, 
Joseph Senter, and others. There is, however, an account, which, if 

' When no date is given, it will lie nnilrrsldcul. that, in New Ilampshire, the iin]iulatiijn 
is according to the last census; and the valuation is the last state valuation ol' is.'i.:). 

(-105) 



406 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTIOX OF XEW EXGLAXD. 

aiirheinic. would trace its first settlement io a mneh earlier period.' Tlr> 
population of Albany was, for quite a number of years, very insignifi- 
cant, owing, it is presiimed, to the superstitious fear of Chocorua's 
curse, whicli, it was supposed, had affected the cattle. These died off' in 
large numbers from some cause or other, which, it has since been dis- 
covered, existed in the water, according to the report of Professor Dana, 
of Dartmouth College, who was appointed, in 1821, to visit the town, 
and learn, if possible, the cause of the disease. The water was a weak 
solution of muriate of lime. A certain kind of meadow mud found there 
issuing from a spring, when administered in large pills to the cattle, 
was discovered to have remedial effects. The population and business 
are generally reviving from the stagnation which was thus thrown over 
them. Swift river is the principal stream, though there are several 
others in different parts of the town which furnish convenient mill priv- 
ileges. The soil is fertile, though the surface is somewhat mountainous. 
Chocorua is a singularly shaped mountain, its top rising to an eleva- 
tion of 3,600 feet, like a tower crowned by turrets at its corners. To the 
south the summit presents a perpendicular wall of smooth rock, some 
hundi-ed feet in altitude. The town has a Free-will Baptist church ; 
four school districts, and one post-office ; also, one grist-mill, three saw- 

' Amonsj the adherents of OUver Cromwell, whose safety was perilled upon the restora- 
tion of Charles II., was one Cornelius Campbell, a man of superior intellect, who sought 
and found a new home in the valley at the base of Mount Chocorua, and within the limits 
of this town. Happy in his wife and children, he had a frequent visitor, to whom the 
whole family had become much attached, in the person of the young son of the old Indian 
prophet and chief, Chocorua. On one occasion, as it is alleged, the boy, with a disposition 
to see and taste every thing, drank some poison placed in a vessel for a mischievous fo.x, 
the effect of which was fatal. The old man, without breathing his suspicion to any. 
nursed his jealousy into wrath ; and, at the first opportunity, upon the absence of Camp- 
bell, visited his house, and left it tenantless, save by the corpses of the wife and little ones 
of the settler. This blow fell with stunning effect upon Campbell ; but he revived from 
the torpor of an overpowering anguish to execute upon the prophet the first promptings of 
the demon of revenge. Chocorua, standing upon the cliti', in the early morning, heard the 
voice of his enemy from below, commanding him to throw himself into the abyss. With 
an Indian's calmness, he replied : '■ The Great Spirit gave life to Chocorua, and Chocorua 
will not throw it away at the command of the white man." " Then hear the Great Spirit 
sjieak in the white man's thunder ! " e.xclaimed Campbell. He fired, and the ball ])ier( ed 
the heart of Chocorua, who, before expiring, is said to have raised himself on his hand.and 
in a loud voice, that grew more terrific as its huskiness increased, to have uttered the fol- 
lowing awful malediction : — " A curse upon ye, white men ! May the Great Spirit curse 
ye when he speaks in the clouds ! and his words are fire. Chocorua had a son, and ye 
killed him while the sky looked bright. Lightning blast your crops ! "Winds and fire 
destroy your dwellings ! The Evil Spirit breathe death upon your cattle ! Your graves 
lie in the war-path of the Indian ! Panthers howl and wolves fatten over your bones! 
Chocorua goes to the Great Spirit, — his curse stays with the white man ! " 



NEW IIAJIPSmilE TOWN OF ALEXANDRIA, ETn. 407 

niill>, and two shingle, lath, tuid clapboard mills. Population, 4')')\ 
valuation, $75,583. 

Alexandria, in the soutiioastorn part of (Ti-aftou county, thirty miles 
iVoui Concord, was granted on the loth of March, 1767, to Joseph But- 
ttrfield, Jr. and others, having been incorporated November 23, 1762. 
Tliree brothers, named Corliss, — Jonathan, John, and William, — com- 
menced its settlement, in December, 1769. Part of Orange was an- 
nexed to Alexandria, December 7, 1820 ; and in February, 1821, a con- 
siderable tract of the territory of the latter was annexed to Hill. The 
first church was Congregational, formed in the year 1788. 

Alexandria is in some parts level, and in other parts mountainous ; but 
agriculture can be prosecuted as advantageously here as in other towns 
in the county. Cardigan mountain is the only eminence. There are 
about two thousand acres of interval land along the various streams. 
Smith's and Fowler's rivers furnish good supplies of water ; the former 
passes through the south part, and the latter through the north part. 
The only village is called Alexandria, at which there is a po.st-office. 
There are two church edifices — Methodist and Free-will Baptist, 
and fourteen school districts : also one carriage manufactory, nine saw- 
mills, and three grist-mills. Population, 1,273; valuation, $285,416. 

Allenstown is pleasantly situated on the Suncook river, in Memmack 
county, eleven miles from Concord. It was granted at an early period, 
and was settled by John Wolcott, Andrew Smith, Daniel Evans, Robert 
Buntin, and others. Mr. Buntin, his son, ten years of age, and James 
Carr, while at labor on the western bank of the Merrimack, opposite 
tiip mouth of the Suncook, were attacked by several Indians, who 
killed Carr while attempting to make his escape, took Buntin and his 
luiy prisoners, marched them to Canada, and disposed of them to a 
Frenchman at Montreal. They remained in captivity eleven months, 
when they fortunately made their escape, and returned to their friends. 
Andrew Buntin, the son, served in the Revolutionary army till his death, 
which occurred at White Plains, October 28, 1776. Allenstown was 
incorporated in 1831, its name being given in honor of Allen, the pur- 
chaser of Mason's claim. Several tracts were set off from this town to 
Ilooksett, January 5, 1853. 

The town has something less than 12,225 acres of land, of moderately 
good quality. The inhabitants are generally occupied in the cultivation 
of the soil, and the many fine farms exhibit their practical knowledge of 
husbandry. On Catamount hill, the highest elevation of land, large 
quantities of fine granite are found. Water is plentiful, and (ircat 



408 HISTORY AXD DESCIUPTIOX OF XEW EXGLAXP. 

Bear brook furnishes several mill-seats. AUenstowii has one nieeting- 
iiouse, oceupied i)v the Baptists ; I'onr school districts ; and one post- 
office. Population, GOO ; valuation, §183,495. 

Alstead, Cheshire county, fifty miles from Concord, was granted l)y 
Governor Benning Wentworth, in August, 176o, to Samuel Chase and 
sixt\'-niiie others, and was originally called Newton.^ The most reliable 
accounts state, that the settlement was commenced about the time the 
charter was granted. Simon Baker, Isaac Cady, and William Druce 
were the earliest iu town, and Mrs. Cady is supposed to have been the 
first woman here. Major Jason Wait, Captain Timothy Delano, and 
John Burroughs arrived at subsequent periods. During the progi-ess of 
the Revolutionary struggle, the inhabitants exhibited an earnest endeavor 
to fulfil their part in the gi-eat contest. As an evidence of the unanimity 
of feeling on the question, it may be stated that there was but one who 
favored the cause of Great Britain. Prior to the establishment of the 
boundaries between New Hampshire and Vermont, there was an un- 
happy division of feeling on the question ; and in April, 1781, Alstead 
transacted business under Vermont, but returned to the authority of 
New Hampshire in January, 1782. With this exception, every thing 
with which the inhabitants have been identified has progressed without 
any dissension or misunderstanding, save in political struggles, in 
which a difference of opinion will often arise. 

Among the distinguished men who have resided in Alstead may be 
mentioned Cyrus Kingsbury, who settled here in 1785. Mr. Kingsbury 
held a military commission as colonel for many years, and represented 
tlie town in the state legislature. General Amos Shepherd, for many 
years a member of the general court of this state, and president of the 
senate, resided in this town, and was one of its most esteemed inhabi- 
tants. He died January 1, 1812. 

Alstead has generally a strong and productive soil, and much of the 
land has been converted into farms. It is watered by Cold river, and 
some of the branches of Ashuelot river. Warren's pond, tvvo hundred 
rods in length, and one hundred and fifty in breadth, is the largest body 
of water. Alstead contains three villages, — Paper- Mill, Alstead, and 
New Alstead, — at each of which there is a post-office ; five church edi- 
fices, — Universalist, Christian, and three Congregational; an academy, 
and fourteen school districts : also one paper-mill, three saw-mills, two 
grist-mills, and two hon founderies. Population, 1,425 ; valuation, 
8587,559. 

' It is said that a m'arit was ma<lf prior to this, but was lost iu consequeuoe of tho 
grantees failing to fulfil the conditions. 



NKW HAMPSHIRE — TUAVN OF ALTON, ETC. 409 

Altox, Belknap county, has Winnepesaukee lake and bay on tlic 
nortli, and is twentv-two miles from Concord. It was owned l)y the 
Masoiiian proprietors, and was originally called New Durham Gore. 
Jacob Chamberlain and others arrived in 1770, and commenced its set- 
tlement. It was invested with corporate privileges January 15, 1796, 
and named by one of its proprietors after Alton, a market town in 
Southamptonshire, England. The first religious society formed was 
that of the Free-will Baptists, in 1805. The general appearance of the 
xown is rough and uneven, though the soil, which is rocky and hard, 
with proper attention, produces good crops. The most noted eminence 
is iNIount Major ; though there is a large swell of land, called Prospect 
hill, from which, in clear weather, the ocean and other objects are visible, 
and which is still more useful in affording ample grazing almost to its 
summit. Merry-meeting bay (a part of Winnepesaukee lake) extends 
southerly into Alton about one thousand eight hundred rods, where it 
receives the waters of the Merry-meeting river. Half-moon pond lies 
between Alton and Barnstead, and is three hundred rods long and 
one hundred and fifty wide. There are three church edifices — Free- 
will Ba)3tist, Congi'egational, and Union ; twenty school districts, four 
post-otlices (Alton, Alton Bay, East Alton, and West Alton), and two 
grist-mills, seven saw-mills (two of which are propelled by steam), five 
shoe manufactories (which manufactm-e annually about 300,000 pairs 
of shoes), and three hotels. Quite a business appearance is given to 
the place by the Cochecho Railroad, which has its terminus here, whence 
the travel is by steamer to Wolfboro' and other places on the lake. 
Population, 1,795; valuation, $682,611. 

Amherst, Hillsborough county, is situated on both sides of the Sou- 
hegan river, and was formerly known as Narragansett No. 3. It was 
granted by tiie general court of Massachusetts about the year 1733, 
with six other townships, to one hundred and twenty soldiers, or their 
de^cendants, who fought in King Philip's war in the years 1675 and 
1676. Only nineteen of the soldiers engaged in the war were living 
when the grant was made. This township was assigned to persons 
living principally in Salem, Lynn, Topsfield, and Beverly; and the first 
settlement was commenced by Samuel Walton and Samuel Lampson 
about the year 1734, who located themselves about a mile from the 
])resent compact part of the town, where they erected the first house. 
Other settlers arrived within a few years, and began improvements. 
About 1753, there were here seven garrisoned houses, which afforded 
places of security to the inhabitants in time of alarm and danger, as also 
a fort or block-house, which was maintained at the j)ublic expense. 

VOL. L 35 



410 HISTORY AST) IiESCMPTIOX OF XEW EXGLAXD. 

Tliough Amherst was a frontier town, and exposed to the incursions of 
the Indians, few, if any, depredations were committed. None of these 
Indians had a permanent abode here when the first settlers arrived, al- 
though they had once been numerous, and some of their wigwams were 
still visible. They dwelt principally upon the river; and human bones, 
supposed to be those of Indians, have been washed from its banks 
within the memory of living inhabitants. In the French war of 1754, 
Amherst furnished its jiroportion of brave soldiers, and several of the 
inhabitants belonged to llie "ranging com])anics," which did much 
service in scouring the woods, j)rocuring intelligence, and skirmishing 
with detached parties of the enemy- 

Amherst was incorporated January 18, 1760, receiving its name in 
compliment to Gen. Jeffrey Amherst ; and embraced, at that time, jjart 
of Rlilford and Mont Vernon. On the 10th of April, 1766, part of 
Monson was annexed to Amherst. About this time, the people were 
very much annoyed by wolves, who were most summarily driven from 
the neighborhood by penning them in a swamp, and keeping up a con- 
tinual fire on them all day. In 1771, Amherst was made the shire town, 
which contributed much to the importance and popularity of the place. 
In 1775, the inhabitants had increased to such an extent as to number 
1,428. Amherst was particularly prominent in the Revolutionary strug- 
gle. The inhabitants not only opposed the restrictive measures of the 
British, but they treated those who were suspected of favoring the 
royal cause (but few in number) with a severity which might be con- 
sidered by some reprehensible. The town furnished its full proportion 
of men for the military service of the United States ; and it appears 
from an authentic document, that prior to the 1st April, 1777, one hun- 
dred and twenty persons were engaged, among whom were two colonels, 
one major, five captains, and nine subaltern officers. The inhabitants 
manifested their ardor and ])atriotism by a ready compliance with the 
requisitions of the Continental Congress and the orders of the provin- 
cial conventions. 

Among the distinguished residents of Aiuherst may be mentioned Hon. 
Joshua Atherton, the delegate appointed to represent the town in the 
convention which assem.bled at Exeter in February, 1788, for the pur- 
pose of ratifying or rejecting the Constitution of the United States, and 
who opposed its adoption, on accottnt of its containing the clause per- 
mitting the slave-trade. Others who are deserving of remembrance 
were Hon. Moses Nichols, a native of Reading, iNIass., who was a 
colonel under General Stark in the battle of Bennington ; Hon. Samuel 
Dana, a native of Brighton, Mass. ; Hon. William Gordon, eminent in 
the profession of the law; Hon. Robert Means, a native of Ireland, who 



XEW HAJIPSHIRE TOWX OF AMHERST. 



411 



fame to this country in 1764 ; Hon. Clifton Clagett, a native of Ports- 
inouth, who lield many important civil offices; and Hon. Jedediah 
K. Smith, a councillor and state senator. This was also the native 
place of Hon. Horace Greeley, the distinguished editor of the New York 
Tribune, who was bom in " a small, unpsiinted but substantial and well- 
built farm-house," about five miles from the village, on the 3d of Feb- 
ruary, 1811. His father was Zaccheus Greeley, and his mother, Mary 
Woodbuvn, both descendants of Scotch-Irish settlers, and hard-working 
people, as were all Mr. Greeley's relatives. The house where he was 
born is still standing, an accurate view of which is here given. It i:^ 




Birthplace of Hon. Horace Greeley. 



built upon a level plat, midway of an abrupt, rocky, and rather high 
eminence. The farm comprised about eighty acres. Young Greeley 
attended the district school in Londonderry, where all his education 
was acquired, and he is remembered with feelings akin to veneration, 
having been a favorite with almost every one.^ 

The soil of Amherst is varied. In some parts, particularly on Sou- 
hegan river and on the hills, it is of an excellent quality, and some 
valuable farms have been laid out, and are under good cultivation. 
There are also some excellent meadows. Amherst is watered by 
Souhegan river, which has considerable water-power, and is crossed 
at this place by two bridges, and by one at Milford, near the line be- 
tween these towns. Baboosuck, Little Baboosuck, and Jo English's 
ponds are the largest collections of water. Iron ore has been discov- 
ered, but it is not wrought at present. The village, containing the 

' Partou's I^ill- of Horace Greeley. 



412 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

public buildings, is situated on a jilaiii half a mile long and about tlif 
same in witlth, liaviug a common between the two ))rineipal rows of 
houses. There are three church edifices — Congregational, Bap- 
list, and Methodist ; foiirteen school districts, a high school, and 
one post-office; also three stores; and three manufactories, with a 
capital invested of §-30,000. Poi)ulation, 1,613 ; valuation, §617,62-1 

Andover, in the northern part of Merrimack county, is ten miles in 
length and about four miles in width. It was granted in 1746, by the 
Masonian proprietors, to Edmund Brown and fifty-nine others, princi- 
paUy of Hampton Falls, and was called New-Breton, in honor of the 
captors of Cape Breton in 1745, in which expedition several of the 
grantees participated. It was settled in 1761, by Joseph Fellows, 
from Boscawen ; who was followed by Elias Rains, William Morey, 
and Edward Ladd. The settlement at first increased but slowly, the 
inhabitants being subjected to many and great privations. There were 
no inhabitants north from whom they could receive assistance, and 
the difficulties of a communication with those situated south of An- 
dover rendered their situation less pleasing. They however overcame 
all these by perseverance, and have succeeded in securing to their 
families a quiet and peaceful possession. In 1779, the town was incor- 
jjorated under its present name. 

Andover abounds with hills and dales, and is in some places quite 
rocky and barren. On the north, the town is divided from Hill by the 
Ragged mountains, — so called from their appearance, being in all parts 
broken, and in many places bleak and precipitous. In some parts, 
settlements have been made, and snug farms adorn their sides. These 
niral improvements, with the rocky barrier behind, present from other 
eminences a picturesque appearance. A little west of the centre of 
these mountains, a stream of water passes from HiU, on which are 
situated several mills. In its passage through a chasm in the moun- 
tain, the water tumbles over a ledge of rocks nearly two hundred feet 
in the distance of two hundred rods. When the stream is raised by 
heavy rains or melting snows, the picture is one of rare beauty. The 
soil is in many parts very good, producing grain and grass in abundance, 
besides being well suited to orcharding. Pemigewasset and Black- 
water rivers furnish water, and the latter aflfords many fine mill-seats. 
There are six ponds, the largest of which is Chance, situated in the 
easterly part. Loon pond, also of considerable size, having an island 
in the easterly part of it, has long been the resort of pleasure parties in 
the summer season. These ponds are sun-oimdcd by beautiful 
scenery, and contain abundance of fish, which are taken in considerable 
quantities. 



KEAV HAXIP.^IIIRE — TOWJJ OF ANTRIM. 413 

Among those deceased citizens who are remembered with respect by 
the inhabitants may be mentioned Dr. Silas Barrett and Dr. Jacob 
B. Moore. The former was the first physician in Andover, and settled 
in 1792 ; the latter was a poet of some eminence, as well as a political 
writer, and settled in 1796. William Noyes is also deserving of re- 
membrance. He left 810,000 for the support of an academy, which 
is now in a flourishing condition ; and, from its healthy and quiet loca- 
tion, affords excellent advantages for the student. The famous juggler 
and necromancer, Potter, was a citizen of Andover; and the place 
where he resided may be seen at the " Potter Place," a station on the •» 
Northern Railroad. There are two villages — Andover, and East 
Andover ; three churches — two Christian and one Free-will Baptist : 
thirteen school districts, the Christian Conference Seminary, the High- 
land Lake Institute; and three post-offices — Andover, East Andover, 
and West Andover: also, two grist-mills, and six saw-mills. The 
Northern Railroad passes through the northern part of Andover. Popu- 
lation, 1,220; valuation, $42-5,743. 

Antrim, in the western part of Hillsborough county, is distant from 
Concord thirty miles. The first settlement within the present limits of 
Antrim was made by Philip Riley in 1744, who, in company with his 
family, after a residence of two years, abandoned their habitation 
through fear of an Indian attack, and did not return till after an absence 
of fifteen years. Induced by an advertisement from the Masonian 
proprietors in 1766, six young men from Londonderry visited the place, 
and, being pleased with the lands, made some clearings. Being disap- 
pointed in their anticipations of a present of a lot of land each from the 
)iroprietors, only three of them eventually took up their abode here, one 
(if whom, James Aiken, arrived in August, 1767. William Smith, Ran- 
dal Alexander, John Gordon, Maurice Lynch, and John Duncan were 
among those who were early settlers. April, 1775, brought news of the 
battle of Lexington ; and although the whole population amounted to 
only one hundred and seventy-seven souls, yet a company of sixteen 
men, raised and commanded by Captain Duncan, marched the next 
morning for the scene of action, followed by Captain Smith with a 
load of provisions, one man only remaining in the settlement. General 
Stark met them at Tyngsborough ; and, while warmly commending 
their patriotism, informed them that there was a sufficiency of men 
already under arms, recommending them to return and wait till their 
services became indispensable. In the autumn of 1777, several of 
the inhabitants marched at different times to the westward, some of 
whom fought in the battle of Bennington under General Stark, while 

3-5* 



414 HISTORY AND DESCIUPTION OF NEW EXCLAND. 

a still larger number were present at the surrender of the Britisii army 
under General Burgoyne. 

Antrim was incorporated March 22, 1777, and received its name 
from a county in Ireland. The surface is generally hilly, though the 
soil is productive and well cultivated. Upon North Branch and the 
Contoocook rivers are some fine alluvial lands, and a few small tracts of 
interval. In the western portion is some good grazing land. These 
rivers water the town, and afford privileges for mills. There are in 
Antrim three meeting-houses — Presbyterian,' Baptist, and Methodist : 
fourteen school districts; and two post-offices — Antrim and North 
Anh-im: also, a patent- shovel manufactory, two furniture shops, a silk 
factory, three grist-mills, seven saw-mills, and three stores. Population, 
1,143; valuation, $450,724. 

Atkinsox, Rockingham county, lying in the southern extremity of 
the state, thirty-six miles from Concord, was formerly a part of Plaistow, 
from which it was set off and incorporated in 1767, receiving its name 
from Hon. Theodore Atkinson, one of its proprietors, and a member 
of the council of the state. Settlements were commenced as early 
as 1727 or 1728 by Benjamin Richards, Jonathan and Edmund Page, 
and John Dow, the former of whom came from Rochester, N. H., and 
the latter from Haverhill, J\Iass., — to which the territory formerly be- 
longed. In the contest between the provinces and the mother country 
the citizens of Atkinson manifested a truly patriotic spirit, as well by 
the passage of suitable resolutions as by the furnishing of men and 
means. Eight sons of Nathaniel Cogswell participated in the struggle, 
as also did Rev. Stephen and General Nathaniel Peabody. 

The surface, though uneven, is composed of land of a superior (pialiry. 
The hills are not of very great height, and are capable of cultivation to 
their summits. The raising of the apple has for many years engaged 
attention, and the fruit is excellent. In a large meadow in Atkinson was 
formerly an island of seven or eight acres, which, when the meadow was 
overflowed by means of an artificial dam, rose with the water, some- 
times six feet. This has been doubted by some ; but the authority of 
Dr. Belknap, as well as that of the Rev. Mr. Peabody, late of this town, 
and otliers, gives authenticity to the statement. Atkinson contains one 
village, two churches — Congregational and Universalist ; six school dis- 
tricts; one academy, — probably the oldest in the state, — incorporatetl 

' Iti'v. John M. Wliiton was tlie pastor of this church from September 28, 1808. to 
.Tanuarv 1, 18.53, a period of nearly forty-tivo years — greatly beloved by his people, ami 
much esteemed wherever known. 



NEW HA.MPSIIIIIK TOWN OF AUBURN, ETC. 41-3 

February 14, 1791 ; and one post-office : also, one machine shop, two 
saw-mills, two shingle mills, and two stores. The trains of the Boston 
and Maine Railroad stop at Atkinson when signals are made. Popula- 
tion, 600 ; valuation, 8233,195. 

Auburn, in the western part of tlic county of Rockingham, was for- 
merly the west parish of Chester, having been set otf and incorporated 
in June, 1845. The first minister was Rev. John Wilson, who was 
settled in 1734, and died February 1, 1779. This was a Presbyterian 
church. The records begin January 19, 1738. The meeting-house 
was built that year, near the centre of the present town of Ches- 
ter. The second church was the Long Meadow meeting-house, 
Auburn. Auburn has an undulating surface, with some considerable 
swells of land ; the soil being generally strong and productive, while the 
swells are very fertile. Massabesic pond, covering about 1,500 acres, and 
consisting of two parts connected by a strait some 250 rods long, lies 
partly in this town. Auburn has one village; two meeting-houses — 
Congregational and Methodist; eight school districts, and one post- 
office : also, an edge tool factory ; two stores ; a saw-mill, shingle 
mill, and lath mill, all in one building, propelled by steam ; three other 
saw-mills, three shingle mills, three clapboard mills, three lath mills, 
and two grist-mills, driven by water-power. Population, 869 ; valuation, 
.§301,296. 

Barnstead, in the southern corner of Belknap county, is twenty miles 
from Concord. It was granted to the Rev. Joseph Adams and others, 
May 20, 1727, and settlements were commenced in 1767. Among the 
early inhabitants were Colonel Richard Sinclair and John Pitman, the 
latter of whom lived to the extreme age of one hundred and one years, 
nine months, and twenty days. Mr. Pitman had several very providential 
escapes from death. On one occasion, while descending a hill on a 
team laden with boards, he fell between the wheels ; and the boards, 
trailing as they were on the ground, carried him along, rolling him over 
and over. At last, one of the wheels struck a stone, and giving a 
l)ound to the boards, thus released him from his unpleasant situation. 
At another time, being in a saw-mill, he had occasion to go down to do 
something to the water-wheel ; and while there his son came into the 
mill. He, not knowing the position of his father, set the machinery in 
operation, and his father was turned over on the crank in the pit till at 
last he was thrown out into the stream unhurt. 

Barnstead is not mountainous, but the land in some parts lies in 
large swells ; though the soil is easy of cultivation. The principal 



416 HISTORY AXD DESCIUPTIOX OF XEW EXGLAXD. 

jwiuls are the hvo known by the names of ,Suncook and BrindK% and 
Half-moon pond. Suncook n\(M- and its tributary streams farnisli 
good water-power. In various )iarts, plumbago, bog-iron ore, and 
yellow ochre have been brought to light. The names of the villages, 
two in number, are the Parade, and Centre Barnstead. The churches 
are three Congregational and one Free-will Baptist ; the former being 
served alternately by Rev. Enos George, who has been established 
here for the last fifty-four years. There arc sixteen school districts, two 
libraries, an insurance company, and three post-offices — Barnstead, 
North Barnstead, and Centre Barnstead : also, six stores, a woollen 
cloth factory, seven saw-mills, four shingle mills, four clapboard mills, 
t)ne grooving machine, one turning machine, and two somewhat exten- 
sive tanneries. Lumber is quite a large item of trade, the wants of neigh- 
boring towns being supplied. Population, 1,848 ; valuation, $519,920. 

Bartlett, Carroll county, a small town lying at the foot of the White 
INIountains, is seventy-five miles northeast from Concord. It was origi- 
nally granted to William Stark, Vere Royce, and others, for services 
during the French and Indian war in Canada. A Mr. Harriman, and 
two brothers by the name of Emery, were among the first who perma- 
nently located here. In 1777, a few years after the arrival of the above, 
Daniel Fox, Paul Jilly, and Captain Samuel Willcy, from Lee, com- 
menced a settlement in what is now known as Upper Bartlett. 
This town was incorporated June 16, 1790, receiving its name in honor 
of Governor Bartlett. Many rather trying yet amusing anecdotes might 
be related of the early settlers. The hardships were those which are 
the natural offspring of pioneer life ; and, though they sometimes brought 
weariness to the body, the minds of these people were fruitful in expe- 
dients for overcoming and ultimately subduing them. Hon. John Pen- 
dexter came from Portsmouth at an early period, and settled in the 
south part of the town, near Conway. With his wife he travelled eighty 
miles in winter, she riding on a feeble old horse with a feather-bed 
under her, a child in her arms, and he by her side drawing a hand-sled, 
on which were their household goods. At the time of the gi-eat disas- 
ter near the Notch, when the Willey family were destroyed, a circum- 
stance almost as frightful occurred in connection with the family of Mr. 
Emery, who lived at a place called Jericho, near the Rocky Branch, a 
tributary of the Saco. That stream swelled enormously, and, by the 
rocks, trees, and logs which it brought down in its vehement course, 
made a complete dam just below the spot where the house stood. 
By this accumulation of water the house was raised from its founda- 
tion, being buoyed up on its surface like a boat. In this perilous situa- 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF BARRIXGTOX, ETC. 417 

tion tlio inhnhitants remaiiipcl all niglit, and it was only by the wondt-r- 
fnl workings of Providence that they were saved from a watery grave. 

The land in this irregularly-shaped town is rather poor, with the ex- 
ception of that on the banks of the Saco, which river flows through here 
in a circuitous course. Bartlett is a great place of resort for berries, the 
inhabitants coming from miles around. Pequawket or Kearsarge moun- 
tain, rising up 3,400 feet in a sort of pyramidal form, lies mostly in the 
southeast section of the town, a part of it being in Chatham. It is almost 
isolated from the other hills in the vicinity, and its huge bulk and gigan- 
tic proportions are brought more boldly into view. A large hotel is built 
on its highest point, for the accommodation of visitors. In Upper Bart- 
lett is a neat little edifice, known as the " Chapel of the Hills," built 
through the efforts of Rev. Mr. Souther among the people of the place, 
aided with a handsome contribution of three hundred dollars from a 
Mrs. Snow; who, however, died a short time before this object of her 
pious munificence was attained. The house was dedicated January 21, 
1854, the interesting occasion calling together a large attendance, not- 
withstanding the deep snows of the mountain roads. There are two 
church edifices — Methodist and Free-will Baptist ; six school districts, 
and two post-offices — Bartlett and Lower Bartlett : also, four saw- 
mills, three grist-mills, two stores, and two tanneries. Population, 761 ; 
valuation, 8158,376. 

Barrixgtox, in the eastern part of Strafford county, thirty miles from 
Concord, was incorporated on the 10th of May, 1722, and the first 
efforts at settlement were made in 1732. The town of Strafford was 
formerly comprised within its limits. Barrington is a somewhat broken 
and rocky township, and the soil is principally a gravelly loam ; a por- 
tion of it being a sandy loam or hazel mould, and very good for tillage. 
There are no less than thirteen ponds, of large size, which afford mill- 
seats of excellent capacity. On the Isinglass river is a perpendicular 
fall of thirty feet. Minerals, among which is bog-iron ore, are some- 
what abundant. The Devil's Den, a cavern of some notoriety, is situ- 
ated about two miles from the centre of the town, and is well worth the 
attention of those in search of curiosities. There are three church edi- 
fices — Congregational, Free-will Baptist, and Methodist ; fifteen school 
districts and fifteen schools, one of which is a high school ; and two 
post-olFices — Barrington and North Barrington: also, one woollen fac- 
tory and three stores. Po|5ulation, l,7o2 ; valuation, $o26,647. 

Bath, Grafton county, lies on the Connecticut river, at the head of 
boat navigation, eighty -two miles from Concord. It was originally 



418 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTIi:iX OF XEW ENGLAND. 

granted to Rev. Andrew Gardner and sixty-one others, September 10, 
1761 ; and in JMareli, 1769, it was again chartered to John Sawyer and 
others, on account of the terms of the first charter not being fulfilled. 
The contention about these charters forms quite a prominent feature in 
the town's history : the second one, however, fintdly prevailed. The 
first settlers were John Herriman of Haverhill in 1765, Moses Pike 
in 1766, and the family of Mr. Sawyer in 1767. Bath has a pleasant 
situation on the vale of the Connecticut, the Green Mountains being on 
the west, and the White Mountains on the east, which form a strong 
breastwork from high winds and long storms. The soil is in every 
way suited for agricultural improvement, in which advancement has 
been made. Nearly one sixth of the land is interval. Gardner's 
mountain, about five hundred feet high, lies in the southwest corner, 
and rises by a very bold ascent from the confluence of the Connecticut 
and Ammonoosuc rivers. It takes a northerly course, making a dividing 
line between the inhabitants of the two parts of the town. Alum and 
copperas can be produced from some of the rocks, and there are ap- 
pearances on Gardner's mountain of iron and silver ore. The Ammo- 
noosuc river furnishes water in the southeast part, as well as some fine 
sites for mills. It receives, about four miles from its mouth, the Wild 
Ammonoosuc river, which rushes down the lofty Moosilauke. There 
is a fine fall of water in the Connecticut, which has been improved by 
the erection of a dam, and another in the Ammonoosuc, near the prin- 
cipal village, across which river a bridge, three hundred and fifty feet in 
length, was thrown in 1807. Perch pond, covering an area of nearly 
one hundred acres, lies in the south part. There are three villages — 
Upper Village, Lower Village, and Swift-water Village; three church 
edifices — Congregational, Universalist, and Methodist ; the Bath acad- 
emy ; eleven school disti-icts ; and one post-office : also, five stores, two 
grist-mills, and two saw-mills. Population, 1,574; valuation, §496,659. 

Bedford, Hillsborough county, is situated on the westerly side of the 
Merrimack, opjiosite the city of Manchester, and is traversed upon the 
northerly side by the Piscataquog, which discharges into the Merrimack. 
A portion of it was included in the grant of three miles in length 
upon either side of the IMerrimack, made by the General Court of 
Massachusetts to Passaconaway, the great sachem of Penacook, in 
the year 1663, and its history thenceforward, for more than seventy 
years, contributes nothing new that we can find, to the tale of preceding 
centuries, save perhaps that the voice of the great apostle John Eliot 
was heard through these forests, soothing the wild nature of the poor 
Indian, and discoursing to him of a better life. Wonnalancet, the son 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF BEDFORD. 419 

and successor of Passaconaway, was the mild pui)il of Eliot. His 
character was so changed by Christianity that he was called " Wunne- 
lanshonat," or " one breathing soft words," and rather than join his 
nation in a war against the English, he retired with his family to 
Canada. 

But the sceptre of the bashaba was broken; and Ihe General Court 
of Massachusetts, finding no longer occasion to keep in remembrance 
a former grant, in consideration of important services rendered by 
officers and soldiers in the war with King Philip, issued to them, or 
Iheir legal representatives, charters of seven townships of land, one of 
which was located here by the name of Souhegan East, or Narragansett 
No. 0. Very few, however, of the one hundred and twenty grantees, 
became settlers. In 1735, one Sebbins, from Braintree, pitched his 
camp there for the winter, and engaged in shingle-making, from whom 
Sebbins pond received its name. But the first permanent settlement 
was made, in 1737, by Robert and James Walker, and Matthew and 
Samuel Patten, of the Scotch-Irish emigrants, many of whom had 
settled at Londonderry. The Pattens were immediately from Dun- 
stable. Many others of the Londonderry colony soon settled here, 
whose innate love of civil and religious freedom was a sufficient guar- 
anty that the patriotism and Protestantism of the citizens would be 
conspicuous when they should come to resist foreign misrule. In 1750, 
the town was chartered by its present name, probably in compliment 
to the Ditke of Bedford, a minister of state, who was a friend and 
correspondent of Governor "Wentworth. 

In the French War (1760), Colonel John Gotfe, of Derryfield, com- 
manded the regiment of eight hundred raised by the province of New 
Hampshire to join the expedition against Canada under General 
Amherst, and this town furnished her share of the soldiers. But in 
llie war of the Revolution the peopk were, to a still greater extent, 
zealous in sharing the dangers and sacrifices of the struggle, and gave 
nearly one hundred men to the cause (then nearly one half of the 
male population), many of whom served at Bunker Hill, and on other 
fields ; and eighteen wdtli Lieutenant John Orr under General Stark at 
the battle of Bennington. But one person in the town could be found 
upon whom the taint of toryism rested ; and he, singularly enough, 
was the spiritual leader of the people. Rev. John Houston. He refused 
to sign the Association Test, or pledge of united opposition to British 
fleets and armies, a measure suggested by a resolution of Congress 
in March, 1776. Eighty-five male citizens signed the document, and 
none, with the single exception mentioned, were found unwilling ; and 
his dismission soon followed, after a successful pastorate of nearly 



420 IIISTOllY AXD DESCIUPTIOX OF NEW ENGLAND. 

Iwciity years. In fnrtlier jlliistratiou of the fervent ])arriotisni of tlie 
people during that critical pcriotl, it may be mentioned, that, in 17^3, 
they actually instructed John C)rr, their representative at the general 
court, strenuously to opjjose the return of "loyalists" as " undeserving 
of any favor." 

Bedford has always been chiefly an agricultural town. The portion 
lying along the Piscataqitog has supplied a vast amount of white and 
hard pine and oak timln-r sititable for ship-building, and its lofty masts 
found their way to our naval and maritime ports. Special attention 
was also given to the hop culture; and Bedford was, until 1836, the 
largest hop-growing town in New England. The inspector's books for 
1883 showed a production of 97,320 pounds, worth, at the average 
price for that year of 16^ cents per pound, 61-5,571.20. 

Piscataquog Village, which, in the yt'ar 1853, w'as annexed to Man- 
chester, seemingly in violation of all geographical rules, by reason of 
which, and of its associations foracentury, it is here placed with Bedford, 
contained, in 1850, two school districts, and a population of seven 
hundred ; it is intersected by the New Hampshire Central Railroad, as 
well as the river from which it takes its name — is a thrifty place, and 
gives quite a business face to the town. This village received a fresh 
start, in 1812, by the enterprise of Isaac Riddle and Caleb Stark, who 
conceived the design, in connection with the then recent improvement 
of the river by locks and the Middlesex Canal, of navigating the river l)y 
boats. They built a boat at the centre, and drew it, with forty yokes 
of oxen, three miles and a half to the Merrimack, launched it amid the 
cheers of the crowd assembled to view the novelty, named it the 
Experiment, loaded and navigated it to Boston, where its arrival was 
hailed with cannonading, and the following announcement in the 
Boston Centinel: "Arrived from Bedford, N. H., Canal Boat Experi- 
mcnt, Isaac Riddle, Captain, via Merrimack river and Middlesex Canal." 
Bedford has been remarkably fortunate in escaping the too frequent 
changes in the pulpit, having had but three settled ministers since 17u() : 
the Rev. John Houston, after whose dismissal, in 1778, the pastorate 
was vacant until 1804, when Rev. David McGregor was ordained, and 
continued until 1826; since which the Presbyterian church has enjoyed 
the ministrations of Rev. Thomas Savage, who is the lineal descendant 
of Major Thomas Savage, and Faith, daughter of Anne Hutchinson. 
There was another religious society in town, the Baptist; but for years 
they have not had M'orship on the Sabbath. The names of the founders 
of Bedford are still perpetuated in worthy families. Among its distin- 
guished sons may be mentioned Hon. Zachariah Chandler, the succes- 
sor of General Cass in the United States Senate, and the great-grandson 



NEW IIAMPSIIIUE — COUNTY OF BELKNAP, ETC. 421 

of Zachariah, one of the grantees of NaiTagansett No. 5 ; Joseph E. 
Worcester, LL. D. of Cambridge, the lexieograplier; Hon. John Vose, 
deceased, preceptor of Atkinson and Pembroke academies, for nearly 
forty years, and author of a work upon astronomy ; and the late Hon. 
Joseph Bell, of Boston. The names of Goffe, Orr, Patten, Walker, 
Riddle, Bell, and Moor are among those which have run through the 
entire history of the town. Robert Walker, whose father has been 
mentioned as one of the four who entered Bedford one hundred and 
thirteen years before, was present at the centennial celebration in 1850. 
Bedford has thirteen school districts, and one post-office. Population, 
including Piscataquog Village, 1,906 ; valuation, $!o42,609. 

Belknap County, containing an area of some 370 square miles, being 
next to the smallest county in the state, was established Decemi)er 23, 
1840. It is bounded on the north by Carroll county and Lake Winne- 
pesaukee, east by Stratlbrd county and the lake, and south and west by 
Merrimack and Grafton counties. It was set off from Strafford, and was 
made to embrace " all the land and waters included in the towns of 
Alton, Barnstead, Centre Harbor, Gilford, Gilmanton, Meredith, New 
Hampton, and Southampton." Without increasing its territorial limits, 
a iiiiiih town has been added — Laeouia — being set off from Mere- 
diili. The county received its name in honor of Dr. Jeremy Belknajj, 
I he historian of New Hampshire. Gilford was made the shire town. 

The surface is somewhat uneven ; but there are no mountains of any 
considerable magnitude. The soil, however, is ^\■ell adapted to agri- 
culture, and contains many well-cultivated farms. It is most completely 
watered by large lakes and the various streams connected with them. 
Winnepesaukee and Long bay present the most wild, diversified, and 
enchanting scenery; being nowhere in this country, and scarcely in the 
world, surpassed by a similar combination of land and wtiter. This lake 
is indeed a miniature archipelago. 

The county belongs to the fourth judicial district. The annual law 
term of the supreme judicial court is held at Gilford on the fourth Tues- 
day of December. Terms of this court and the common pleas are held at 
(Tilford on the third Tuesday of February and first Tuesday of Septern- 
i)er in each year. Poi)ulation, 17,721 ; valuation, ^0,457,765. 

Bennington lies near the centre of Hillsborough county, and once 
constituted parts of Deering, Francestown, Greenfield, and Hancock, 
from which it was incorporated in 1842. The surface is undulating, 
and the soil of an average quality. Crotchet mountain lies partly in 
Bennington and partly in Francestown, and there are quite a number of 

VOL. I. 36 



4-22 HISTORY AXD UESCUII'TION OF NEW EXGLAXD. 

farms ; iliongh Bennington i.s more strictly a manufacturing community, 
having better facilities in tlii.s department than many of the adjoining 
towns. Contoocook river runs through on the western side. The in- 
habitants, as may be seen by their surroundings, are true New-Eng- 
landers, having all those qualities of thrift and enterprise for which 
they are noted. A neat village, consisting of about one hundred dwell- 
ing-houses, has been built. There are two religious societies — Congre- 
gational and Baptist ; five school districts, and one post-office : also, two 
establishments for the manufacture of cutlery; one grist-mill, two paper 
jnanufactories, and a saw-mill. Population, 541 ; valuation, 8177,lo7. 

Bexton, towards the western part of Grafton county, adjoins Haver- 
hill, and is seventy miles from Concord. It was granted to Theophilus 
Fitch and others, January 31, 1764, and the settlement was begun 
shortly after the commencement of the Revolutionary war. Settlers 
have been very backward in taking up their residence here; and, as a 
conseqi;ence, the population has always been small. The town was 
first called Coventry, and was changed to the name it now bears, Decem- 
ber 4, 1840. Benton presents a rough and mountainous aspect, and tiie 
soil is not very favorable for agricultiu-al purposes. Several farms are, 
however, very productive. In the southeast part lies one of the most 
considerable elevations in the county, known as Rloosilauke ; and in 
the west part is Owl-head mountain. Oliveriau brook and Wild 
Ammonoosuc river water the town. A large quantity of lumber is an- 
nuallv manufactured from the timber with which the forests abound. 
The Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad passes through the soutli 
))arr. A qitany of stone, resembling Italian marble, has been opened on 
Blade mountain. Benton has one village (North Benton), one meeting- 
liouse, occujiied by the several religious denominations ; six school dis- 
tricts and six schools, and one post-otfice : also, five saw-mills. Pojiu- 
latiun. 478; valuation, 6141,678. 

Berlix is a modern town of Coos county, one iutndred and forty 
miles from Concord, having an area of 31,154 acres. It was granted to 
Sir William JNIayne, Bart., his relatives, Thomas, Robert, and Edward, 
of the same cognomen, with several others from Barbadoes, in the year 
1771, being at first caUed Maynesborough. The act of incorporation is 
dated 1S29. There are several ponds and streams, the largest of whicii 
are the Androscoggin, running through the east ))art, and the Upper 
Ammonoosuc, through the west. Berlin Falls is a wild and interesting 
jiiace in the Androscoggin, where the great vohtme of waters coming 
down from the Umbagog chain of lakes, and the Clear, Diamond, Marg- 



NEW nAiMPSIlIlli: TOWN OF EETIILEHEJI. 



4-2:J 



alloway, find other smaller streams, forces its way through ;i rocky 
defile of about fifty feet wide, with a descent of six or seven fe.-t to every 
ten. The chasm is spanned by a narrow bridge for persons on loot, 
from wliich the near view is very exciting, affording also a fine view of 
the river for some distance. In this vicinity also the northerly slojies of 
ihe mountaina are presented in their magnificence. The town has one 




village, called Berlin Falls. The trade of the place is in lumber and 
country produce. There are three large saw-mills, with a capital ot 
§100,000; four school districts, and two post-oflices — Berlin and Ber- 
lin Falls. The Grand Trunlc Railway passes nearly through tlie centre 
of the town. Population, 173 ; valuation, 8161,04-3. 



Bethlehem is in the northern part of CTrafton county, one huntlred 
miles from Concord. Tlie village is about seventeen miles west ot the 
Notch of the White Mountains, on the road to Franconia and Littleton. 
The road here passes over a broad, undulating hill, in an open and airy 
situation, which gives the traveller the most satisfactory view of the 
range of mountains to be anywhere seen. Mount Washington here 
stands out in its just proportions, flanked upon either side with his tel- 
lows of lesser stature. Jonas Warren, Nathaniel Snow, Nathan Wheeler, 
and others, arrived at Bethlehem in 1790, and commenced the settle- 
ment then known as " Lord's Hill." The privations, sufferings, and 
hardships of the early inhabitants were numerous ; and, had they nor 
been hardy, persevering men, they could not have borne up ngaiii-t 
them. Starvation at one time almost stared them in the face; l)iit they 



424 HISTORY AXD DESCRIPTIOX OF XEW EXGLAXD. 

were paved iVom this liiigeriiii;^ (l(^atli hy iiouriirhment procured from 
green chocolate roots and other jihmts. Bethleliem was incorporated 
December 29, 1799 ; and the first town-meeting was held iu the 
house of Amos Wheeler. In April of the same year the project of 
building a bridge over the Ammonoosuc was started, and the following 
month the town voted to raise three hundred and ninety dollars with 
which to do it. In 1849, a tract of the stare's land east of Bethlehem 
and south of Carroll was annexed to Bethlehem. The soil is jiroduc- 
tive, though the surface is somewhat uneven. The princijial einiiuMices 
are the Round and PeaKed mountains. Besides the Great Ammonoosuc 
J list mentioned, this town is watered by Gale river. Specimens of 
magnetic and bog iron ore are found in various parts. Bethlehem con- 
tains two church edifices, eight school districts, and one post-otfice : 
also, five large saw-mills, and a large starch manufactorv, which |iro- 
duces annually one hundred and forty tons of starch. Tlie White 
Mountain Railroad passes through the northwestern part of tlu' town. 
Population, 9o0 ; valuation, $244,170. 

BoscAWEX, ]\I(M-rimack county, is pleasantly situated on the western 
side of Merrimack river, between Concord and Salisbury. It was granted 
June 6, 1733, to John Coffin and ninety others, by the State of Massa- 
chusetts, and was surveyed and divided into lots the same year. In 
1734, the first settlers arrived here, being principally from Newbury, and 
were occupied the greater portion of that year in making clearings and 
erecting their log hoirses. Among the first settlers may be mentioned 
Stephen Gerrish, Jacob Flanders, Ambrose Gould, George Jackman, 
Philip Call, Joseph Eastman, and Moses Burbank. The proprietors 
entered with zeal into the necessary arrangements for the accommoda- 
tion of the settlers ; and in May, 1739, a town-house, a saw-mill, a grist- 
mill, and a meeting-house were erected, and a ferry established across 
ihe Merrimack. In December of the same year a commodious garrison 
was built, and well supplied with muskets and ammunition for the pro- 
tection of the inhabitants. On the 4th of May, 1746, Thomas Cook 
and Ctcsar, a negro, were killed, and a Mr. Jones was taken captive by 
the Indians and carried to Canada. Prior to this, Josiah Bishop was 
attacked wliile at work, taken into the woods, and killed. In August of 
this year Altraham Kimball, and a man by the name of Putney, belong- 
ing to Hopkinton, were made captives. These cirqumstances created 
considerable alarm among the settlers, and an earnest petition was pre- 
sented to the executive of New Hampshire (the town being by the divis- 
ion placed under the jurisdiction of that state), for aid and protectiwi 
from the assaults of the savages. Continued hostility being manifested 



NEW HAMPSHIRE — TOWN OF BOSCAWEN, 42-3 

by the Indians, in 1752 the proprietors raised money for the erection 
of another fort; but the funds were not used on account of the apparent 
cessation of Indian hostilities. 

In May, 1754, Nathaniel 'Meloon and family, belonging to this town, 
were captured near Salisbury and taken to Canada, Irom whence thi'y 
were released after a confinement of three years. In August of the same 
year, Mrs. Call, wife of Philip Call, was murdered before the eyes of her 
husband in Bakerstown, now the westerly part of Franklin, by a party 
of Indians, who took her scalp. Enos Bishop was taken prisoner, while 
Timothy Cook, after plunging into the river to make his escape, was 
kiUed by the same party. The two latter belonged to a detachment 
sent out from the fort here in pursuit of the Indians, who surprised them 
in ambush, — no one but Bishop being able to fire a shot. The re- 
mainder of the men, twelve in number, made their escape. Boscawen 
was incor]3orated April 22, 1760, its name being given in honor of an 
admiral distinguished in the capture of Louisburg. Prior to this time, 
the settlement retained its Indian name of Confoocook. There is little 
of interest in the history of the town to notice till we come to that 
period rendered memorable by the commencement of the Revolution. 
Boscawen took the necessary measures, as well for the supply of her 
tjuota of men and means as for her proper representation in the councils 
of the infant republic, and the protection of her inhabitants in case of 
danger. Lieutenant John Flanders, of this town, was taken prisoner in 
the expedition to Quebec, and was seven months in captivity, two of 
which he was in irons. With the exception of some local discords, 
which were certainly very reprehensilile, Boscawen, after, and even 
before, the close of hostilities with Great Britain, continued to enjoy 
great prosperity, which has not forsaken her up to the present time. 

It was on a small island at the mouth of Contoocook river, in tiiis 
town, that the celebrated Mrs. Duston, with the aid of her nurse and a 
youth, a fellow-captive, performed the heroic feat of killing eight or ten 
Indians (the number is variously stated), wdio, with two others, had her 
as a prisoner. She took the scalps of the Indians, and, in one of their 
ranoes, returned to Haverhill, Mass., whence she had been carried away. 
This occurred April 30, 1698, thirty-five years before the settlement of 
tliis town. 

Tiie surface is comparatively level, and the soil various ; but, gener- 
ally speaking, the town, in its wiiole extent, can be brought under cul- 
tivation. There are many excellent farms ; and fruit-trees — princi- 
pally the apple, pear, and cherry — are cultivated to a considerable 
extent. Water is bountifully supplied by the Merrimack and Black- 
water rivers, and Pond or Beaver-dam, Mill, and Schoodic brooks, 
36* 



426 HISTORY AND lli,.SCUirTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

whic-li furnish good water privik-gt-s. Besides these there are many 
smaller streams, running tlu-ough most of the valleys, furnishing a 
ready supply of water to almost every farm. Great and Long ponds 
are somewhat noted; the former being one mile long and the same in 
breadth, and the latter two miles long and one and a half wide. The 
town is well supplied with roads, which are kept in constant repair, and 
two bridges, crossing the Merrimack, unite Boscawen with Canterbury. 
Besides these, there are ten others in various directions, one of which, 
crossing the gulf, on the fourth New Hampshire turnpike, cost 81,000. 
The houses, though not handsome, are convenient and well-built. 
BoscaW'Cn contains three villages, and a part of Fisher\'ille ; six houses 
for public worship — two Congregational, and one each of Bap- 
tist, Christian, Methodist, and Union; an academy; sixteen school dis- 
tricts ; and two post-offices — Boscawen and West Boscawen : also, one 
cotton mill; one woollen factory, making annually about 100,000 yards 
of cloth; nine saw-mills, two grist-mills, a large flour mill, a machine 
shop, and manufactories of saws, chairs, and matches. The Northern 
Railroad passes through Boscawen. Population, 2,0C3 ; valuation, 
$871,873. 

Bow, in Merrimack county, is divided on the northeast from Pembroke 
by the Merrimack river, and adjoins Concord on the northwest. It was 
granted May 20, 1727, to one hundred and seven proprietors and their 
associates, among whom was Jonathan Wiggins. It was bounded as 
follows : " Beginning on the southeast side of the town of Chichester, 
and running nine miles by Chichester and Canterbury, and carrying 
that breadth of nine miles from each of the aforesaid towns, southwest, 
until the full complement of eighty-one square miles are fully made up." 
This grant covered about three fourths of Concord, the greater part of 
Pembroke, and even extended into Hojikinton. Quite a controversy 
grew up between the proprietors of this grant and Concord, which 
lasted for a number of years — from 1750 to 1772 — and was expensive, 
vexatious, and bitter.^ After the settlement of the "vexed question," 
Bow w^as reduced from its former ample dimensions to an area of 
sixteen thousand acres. The first church (Baptist) was organized in 
1795; and the second, being a union of Congregationalists and Baptists, 
was formed in 1807, but was subsequently dissolved. The " venerable 
Samuel Welch," as he was called, resided in Bow till his death, a 
period of over fifty years, and reached the age of about one liundred 
and thirteen years. He was a native of Kingston, N. H. ; and, thougii 

' See ConeorJ. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWX OF BRADFORD. 427 

not distinguished as a ])nblic citizen, was Ivuown in ])rivate life as an 
industrious, upright, and lionest man. 

Tlie east boundary of Bow is formed by the Merrimack, upon tiie 
bank of which is a fertile interval, the soil being a light loam, free from 
stone, and very productive. Back from the river, the surface is very 
uneven ; hills and valleys, in promiscuous style, lying on every side, 
without either range or regularity. The hills, all things considered, 
afford the very best of land for farm culture ; hard, but fertile, with good 
depth of soil ; good alike for grain or grass, and producing about ten 
bushels of wheat to the acre in ordinary seasons. From these hills the 
lover of nature may feast his eye and rejoice his heart. There is much 
waste land, unfit for aught save wood and pasturage ; while, upon the 
brooks in the western part, there are large tracts of natural meadow, 
which atTord large quantities of hay. Turkey river drains the largest 
part of the town, and runs near to the west and north boundaries. 
Turee pond, lying near the northwest part, is the only collection of 
water. There are two meeting-houses — Baptist and Methodist ; four- 
teen school districts ; and one post-office : also, eight mills for the 
sawing of deal, shingles, and other descriptions of lumber; and two 
grist-mills, in one of which are all the facilities for bolting flour. The 
trade of the town consists of farm produce, lumber, stock, and other 
articles. Population, 1,055 ; valuation, §371,868. 

Bradford, iNIerrimack county, lies midway between the Merrimack 
and Connecticut rivers, and is twenty-eight miles from Concord. It 
was granted to John Pierce and George Jaffrey, and was settled in 
1771 by William Presbury and family, who resided here three years 
before the arrival of any other settlers. Several inhabitants from Brad- 
ford, Mass., soon aftersvards took up their abode, which circumstance 
gave rise to the name of the town. The act of incorporation was 
dated September 27, 1787, which mentions that its territory was to 
consist of New Bradford, Washington Gore, and a portion of Wash- 
ington. A Congregational church — the first one here — was organ- 
ized in 1803. Mason W. Tappan, the present able representative in 
Congi-ess from this district, is a resident of this town. 

The face of Bradford is in many parts hilly; but the largest portion 
of the town is situated in a valley, which extends over an area of about 
three miles. The soil is varied. A plain, a mile in length and half a 
mile in width, lies near the Sunapee mountains on the northwest. 
Valuable quarries of stone are opened in the easterly part. Water is 
supplied by small streams, having their source principally in ponds — ■ 
Todd's being the largest, and lying between Bradford and Newbury. 



428 HISTORY AXD DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

Its bosom is dotted with several floating islands, wliicli are objects of 
interest. On the east side of the town, Ues Pleasant or Bradford pond, 
about 550 rods long and 250 wide, also having several islands, and 
having a landscape in its vicinity of peculiar beauty. There are three 
villages — the Centre, Mill, and Raymond's Corner; three meeting- 
houses — Congregational, Baptist, and Union; ten school districts; and 
two post-offices — Bradford and South Bradford : also, one woollen 
manufactory, one sash, Wind, and door factory, one wheelwright shop, 
two saw-mills; one grist and flour mill, built of brick, with several run 
of stones ; one tannery, one clothing mill, and three hotels. The rail- 
road from Concord to Claremont has its terminus here. Population, 
1,341; valualion, 8413,759. 

Brentwood, Rockingham county, adjoining Exeter on the east, was 
incorporated June 26, 1742. It comprises an area of 10,465 acres of 
moderately good land, which has been taken up by a class of indus- 
trious farmers, who have succeeded in bringing it under excellent im- 
provement. Exeter river, having a central course through the town, 
and having smaller streams connected with it, supplies water in abun- 
dance. Pickpocket falls, lying on Exeter river, are within the limits of 
Brentwood, and furnish water-power for several mills. Iron ore has 
been excavated, and vitriol combined with sulphur has also been found. 
The first church was organized in 1752, by the Congregationahsts, at 
" the Gulley ; " and a union was effected between this and a church pre- 
viously organized at Keenborough in 1756, at which time Rev. Na- 
thaniel Trask was settled as pastor, which relation he sustained for 
forty-one years. There are now three chmxh edifices — Congregational, 
Baptist, and Universalist ; four school districts ; one post-oflice, three 
stores, a paper-mill, and three wheelwright sho|is. Pojjnlation, 923; 
valuation, •'?318,090. 

Bridgewater, in the eastern part of Grafton county, forty-eight miles 
from Concord, was incorporated February 12, 1788, having been pre- 
viously a part of New Chester, now Hill. Thomas Crawford was the 
first settler, having come hither in 1766 ; he was soon followed by his 
brother Jonathan, and several others. The settlers came from the lower 
part of this state, and from Reading, Mass., and were men of substance, 
and of some means. A Congregational church was organized as early 
as 1790, being a branch of that in Hebron. The minister, Mr. Page, 
was accustomed to preach at this time in the barn of Deacon Boardman. 
In the year 1802, a meeting-house was commenced, and was completed 
in 1806. It was a two-story, and rather antique-looking edifice. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF BRISTOL. 429 

About the year 1798, Deacon Joshua Fletcher, from Plymouth, moved 
liere, and took up his residence near the spot where the meeting-house 
was built. 

The surface of Bridgewater is broken to some extent ; but the soil 
is fertile, and affords good opportunities for the pursuit of agriculture. 
There are no rivers or ponds of note, and no village. The Free-will 
Baptists and Congregationalists have each a church edifice, the Meth- 
odists worshipping in the house of the latter sect. Tiiere are tea school 
districts, and one post-oflice : also, four saw-mills, a grist-mill, and a 
shingle mill. The Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad touches at 
Bridgewater. Population, 6(37 ; valuation, $140,294. 

Bristol, in the southeast part of Grafton county, having Pcmige- 
wassct river on the east, and Smith's river on the south, is thirty miles 
north from Concord. Bristol originally formed a portion of the territory 
of Bridgewater and New Chester (now Hill), from which it was set off 
and incorporated Jitne 24, 1819. Colonel Peter Sleeper, Benjamin 
Emmons, and others, began the settlement about the year 1770 ; and a 
church — Methodist — was formed in June, 1818, and tlie Congrega- 
tional church in 1826. The general appearance of Bristol is hilly, 
affording much delightful scenery. The soil is varied, bitt mostly 
hard and stony. About three miles from the village, a large and ricli 
bed of plumbago has been discovered. 

Bristol, being situated at the head of the Franklin and Bristol Rail- 
road, has considerable mercantile and other business, which would be 
largely increased if the rare water-power on Newfound river, which 
runs directly through the village, was more extensively improved. 
Newfound pond is a beautifitl body of water, some nine miles in length, 
the southern part of which is in Bristol. The outlet has a southern 
course of two miles or more, emptying into the Pemigewasset at the 
village, where it has a fall of one hundred feet in the course of some 
eighty rods. Smith's river, coming from the west, enters the Pemige- 
wasset some two miles below Bristol village, and has also extensive 
falls. All that is wanting to make Bristol a large manufacturing 
|ilace is the investment of capital to call into use its vast water- 
power. 

At the junction of Newfound river and the Pemigewasset, a beautiful 
village has been built (which is increasing in magnitude), containing a 
number of pretty dwelling-houses and substantial buildings. There 
are three church edifices — Congregational, Methodist, and Free-will 
Baptist ; eleven school districts, and one post-office : also, two paper 
mills, two large tanneries, four saw-mills, one grist-mill, one bedstead 



43G nisTORV axd i>escrii'Tiox of new exglaxd. 

manufactory, one slcipjh and \van;on factory, one boot and shoe factory, 
ajid otlier meclianical interests. Population, 1,103 ; valuation, §330,076. 

Brookfielp, Carroll county, lies in the eastern part of the state, 
fortv-five miles from Concord. It was, prior to its incorporation in 
December, 1794, a part of the territory of the adjoining town of Middle- 
town. The first person who took up his abode here was Nicholas 
Austin. Richard Hanson erected the first framed house. The soil is 
good, and the surface generally level ; the only elevation being Moose 
mountain, which has a pond of about fifteen acres on its summit, 
having at all seasons the same amount of water in it. The West 
branch of Salmon Falls river has its source in Cook's pond, which is 
about one mile long and three quarters of a mile wide. 

Brookfield Corner is the name of the only village. The trade consists 
chiefly of the various kinds of dry goods and groceries, and the inhab- 
itants are generally employed in the cultivation of the soil. Brookfield 
has two churches — Free-will Baptist and Methodist; five school 
districts; several saw-mills and shingle mills; as well as the usual 
mechanic shops necessary for a small community. A post-office is 
located here. Popitlation, 552 ; valuation, 6141,087. 

Brooklixe, in the county of Hillsborotigh, thirty-five miles from 
Concord, contains 12,664 acres. It originally belonged to the state of 
Massachusetts, being included in the Dunstable grant. The legislative 
enactment by which it was incorporated was passed March 30, 1769, 
and the town was then named Raby, which was changed to Brookline 
in November, 1798. The first church was of the CongiTgational order, 
and was formed in 1795 ; previous to which the inhabitants were 
accustomed to attend meeting regularly at Hollis and Peppercll, from 
five to ten miles distant. The principal part of the original settlers 
were Scotch-Irisii. The only river is called Nisitissit, which takes its 
rise in the northeast part of Mason. There is a pond one mile long 
and a third of a mile wide. Tiie trade is in lumber, charcoal, and casks. 
Brookline has one church edifice, belonging to the Congregationalists 
and Methodists ; seven school districts, and one post-office : also, eight 
saw-miUs, one grist-mill, and a sash and blind shop. About sixty men 
are employed in making sugar-kegs for East Boston. Population, 718; 
valuation, 6295,169. 

Cajibridge, Coos county, lies on Umbagog lake, and borders on the 
boiuidary line between Maine and New Hampshire. It contains 
23,160 acres, which were granted May 19, 1733, to Nathaniel Rogers. 



NEW HAMPSIIIUE — TOWN OF CA.MFTON. 431 

and other:?. It was incorpcirated the same year, and is 167 miles 
from the capital of the state. For many years it was uninhabited, 
probably from the many obstacles which the land presented to im- 
provement, the surface being very uneven. The land, however, with 
])roper care and attention, can be advantageously cultivated. Several 
streams have their source in Cambridge, and discharge themselves 
into the Androscoggin river, which runs through the northwest part. 
There is no church edifice in town ; but some of the citizens claim to 
own ix'ws in the Free-will Baptist church in Bartlett, although it is 
hardly probable that they are regular attendants upon divine service 
there, the air-line distance being not less than thirty miles. The town 
has one school district, and one saw-mill. Population, 'So ; valuation, 
§9,374. 

Campion, in the eastern part of Grafton county, fifty miles from 
Concord, was granted, with the town of Runniey, which it adjoins, to 
C'aptain Jabcz Spencer of East Haddam, Conn., in October, 1761. 
The captain, however, died before the settlement was commenced, and 
his heirs, and other parties, obtained a new charter January 5, 1767. 
The families of Isaac Fox and a Mr. Taylor were the first inhabitants, 
having arrived about 1765. The first meeting of the proprietors was 
held November 2, 1769, and that of the inhabitants, December 16, 177] . 
The name of the town originated from the fact of the first proprietors 
having erected a camp when they came to survey Campton and Rum- 
ney. Nine or ten of the inhabitants served in the Revolutionary war, 
five of whom lost their lives in the service. The first church organized 
was a Congregational, June 1, 1774. 

Campton has a mountainous and ledgy surface; but the land is 
generally good, jjarticularly the interval, and that in the valleys. The 
largest elevation is Mount Prospect, the ascent of which is rewarded by 
a fine view of Winnepesaukee lake, and a large part of the surrounding 
country. A range of mountains, generally known by the name of 
Morgan, lies in the easterly part. Pemigewasset river, which receives 
the waters of Mad, Beebe's, and West branch rivers, as well as Bog 
brook, has a central course through the town. In this river are the 
Livermore falls, in the vicinity of which are evidences of volcanic 
action, such as burnt stones and lava-like substances. Plumbago and 
iron ore exist in Campton, the former in considerable quantities, and 
the latter of inferior quality. Tlu're are four church edifices — two 
Congregational, one Baptist, and one Free-will Baptist; fourteen school 
districts; and three post-ofi^ices — Campton, Campton Village, and 



432 HISTORY AND DEfcCUIPTIOX OF NEW ENULAXD. 

West Cam|>toii : aUo, one !<a\v-niill, one grist-mill, a tannery, and a 
carriage shop. Population, l,4oy; valuation §o7G,76S. 

Canaax, in the southern part of Grafton county, forty miles from 
Concord, was granted July 9, 1761, to sixty-two persons, most of whom 
belonged to Comiectieut, and from Canaan in that state the name was 
derived. The settlement was permanently established during the v\-in- 
ter of 1766 or 1767, by John Scofield, who brought his personal effects 
oa a liaiKl->leil, the distance being fourteen miles. George Harris, 
Thomas Miner, Joshua Harris, Samuel Jones, and Samuel Meacham, 
were also among the early inhabitants. The pro]3rietors held their first 
meeting, July 19, 1768. The Baptist denomination organized the first 
church in 1780, and Rev. Thomas Baldwin, D. D.,i was ordained its 
pastor in 1783, who removed, in 1790, to Boston. Jonathan Duston, a 
native of Haverhill, Mass., and grandson of the heroine, Mrs. Hannaii 
Duston, was for some time a resident of Canaan, having died July 4, 
1812, aged ninety-three. 

The land is not very broken, and most of it is suited to agriculture. 
The Mascomy river originates in the northwest part of Dorchester, and, 
after a circuitous course of eight or ten miles, discharges its waters into 
Mascomy pond in Enfield. Indian Stream river unites with Mascomy 
river, near the centre of this town. Heart pond, so named from its 
peculiar form, lies in the centre of Canaan, and n])on such an elevation 
of land, that at a distance it appears to be situated on a hill. This 
pond is about five hundred rods long and two hundred wide, and 
is nearly surrounded by a bank or mound of earth, from four to 
five feet high, having every appearance of a work of art, but which 
has been found to be caused by the drifting of the ice in the spring of 
the year. There are four other ))onds, called Goose, Clark's, Mud, and 
Bear. 

On the western shore of Heart pond is a beautiful village, called 
Canaan Street, and around the depot of the Northern Railroad, whii li 
passes through the southeasterly portion of the town, another village has 
sprung up. There are three church edifices — Congregational, Meth- 
odist, and Union ; twenty-one school districts ; and three post-ofi[iees 
— Canaan. East Canaan, and West Canaan : also, one grist-mill, seven 
saw-mills, three lath and clapboard mills, one tannery, six stores, and a 
stock invested in trade of $11,960. Population, 1,682 ; valuation, 
|!566,593. 

' Dr. Dalilwiii was the author of the stanzas beginning with this line : — 
'■ From wlieiice dotli this uuiou arise? " 



NE^V' JIAMrSlIIllE TOWN OF CANDIA, ETC. 4;3o 

Candia, in the western \y.\n of Rockingham county, adjoins Chester, 
having formed i)art of tliat townsliip till December 17, 1763, when it 
was incorporated as a separate town. It is distant from Concord lil- 
teen miles. The name which it hears was conferred upon it by Ciov- 
ernor Benning Wentwortli, who was once a jirisoner on the island of 
Candia, in the Mediterranean. William Turner, who moved into the 
present limits of the town in 174"^, was the first settler. In 17")'), John 
Sargent, and several others, took up their residence here. Candia was 
prominent in her ciTorts for the attainment of our Independence, fur- 
nishing sixty-nine of her sons as soldiers of the Revolution. 

The inhabitants of Candia are mainly composed of farmers, many of 
whom are wealthy. The soil naturally is of a stubborn character; liut 
attention and |jroper methods have made it productive. Candia is 
built on elevated ground, is bisected by the Portsmouth and Concord 
Railroad, and commands an extensive prospect of the magniticciit 
scenery of the adjacent country — the White hills, the Wachusett, and 
other mountains, as well as the lights on Plum island, and the ocean, 
being embraced in the view. It is a very healthy locality, and has been 
distinguished for the longevity of its inhabitants. There is a ridge in 
the western part, extending from north to south, which is the highest 
elevation between the Merrimack and the ocean. Two branches of 
Lamprey river take their rise on the east side of this ridge. Fruit rais- 
ing is ]H-osecuted to a considerable extent, and a ready market is found 
for it in Manchester. There are two villages — Candia and Candia 
Depot; three churches — one Congregational and two Free-will Bap- 
tist; fourteen school districts, with a school fund of .'ii<l,000 per annum; 
and two post-ollices — Candia and Candia Village : also, two shoe man- 
ufactories, four grist-mills, eight saw-mills, and a cabinet shop. Po])u- 
lation, 1,4S2 ; valuation, §437,981. 

Canterbury, Merrimack county, is bounded on the west by the Merri- 
mack river, which separates it from Boscawen, and formerly compre- 
hended within its limits Northfield and Loudon. It was granted May 
20, 1727, to Richard Waldron and others, receiving its name from a 
city in the county of Kent, England ; and was settled, soon after the 
grant was made, by James Scales, Thomas Clough, Thomas Young, 
James Gibson, Richard Blanchard, Samuel Shepherd, and others. The 
incursions of the Indians were suffered here as much as in any of 
the other towns ; and the inhabitants, for security, had to take up their 
residence in the garrison. In 1738, Shepherd and Blanchard, being a 
short distance from the garrison, were fired upon by a party of seven 
Indians, who had concealed themselves behind a log, not more than two 

VOL. I. 87 



434 HISTORY AXD DESCRIPTIOX OF NEW ENGLAND. 

rods iVoiii tlirm ; hnt were iiiiinjunMl. Sln'plicnl mid liis fomradiMlion 
fired upon ihe Indians, but to no jnirpose ; and the former, seeing tliat 
there was no chance for liis life Init by his iieels, made good liis escape; 
while Blanchard, less fortunate, fell into the hands of his assailants, 
who treated him so unmercifully that he died a few days afterwards. 

The Indians made several descents upon the inhabitants during the 
French and Indian war; and at one time, four of the St. Francis tribe 
entered the house of Thomas Clough, and took from it some provisions. 
They then concealed themselves behind a log fence, and soon jierceiving 
a young lad by the name of Jackman, a nephew of Mr. Clough, and 
Dorset, a negro man belonging to Mr. Clough, they jumped ov(-r the 
fence and captured them. They were carried to Canada and sold ; 
and, after enduring uncommon j^ivations, they were released in 1761, 
the negro suffering the loss of bolh his feet on his way home. Two 
Indians were murdered in 1753, by Peter Bowen, of Contoocook, now the 
town of Boscawen. It appears that, the year previous, Sabatis and 
Chvisti, two Indians, were •entertained in Canterbury by the inhabi- 
tants ; and, upon leaving, decoyed two negroes from the town, one of 
whom made his escape, while the other was taken to Crown Point and 
sold to an oflicer. Sabatis, having returned with another Indian, Plau- 
sawa, in 17-33, was reproached for his former treacherous conduct, when 
they both behaved in an insolent and threatening manner, which was 
prohalily owing to their having imbibed large cjuantities of liquor. 
When they took their have, they were followed and murdered in the 
woods as above stated. The Indians were buried, with the assistance 
of another person, but so slightly that their bones were soon after dis- 
covered, when the parties, who belonged to Boscawen, were arrested 
and taken to Portsmouth for trial. Before the trial came off, however, 
a mob collected from the country, ftirced open the prison, and set the 
guilty ones at liberty. 

In the arduous struggles of the Revolution, the people of Canterbury 
bore their full portion of the toils and dangers. Some of the inhabitants 
fought at Bunker Hill, others at Saratoga, and others at Bennington. 
The whole number in actual service was seventy, of whom ten were 
officers. The Hon. Abiel Foster, the first minister ordained in this 
town, possessed in a great degree the confidence and esteem of the 
people. Soon after he left the ministry, he was called to arduous duties 
as a magistrate and legislator; and was a member of Congress from 
1783 to 1804. He died in February, 1806. 

The surface of Canterbury is uneven, but tlie soil is generally good ; 
the more hilly portions being excellent for pasturage. The streams are 
few, and of little importance ; but several ponds supply small streams, 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF CAIUIULL. 435 

which are used to some extent for manufacturing'- purposes. The Sha- 
ker village is situated in the southeast part, on an elevated and beautiful 
site, and every thing about it wears an air of ])eace and seclusion. 
This settlement was eommcnci'd in 1792, unili'r the ministration of 
Elder Job Bishop, and lias prospered until tlii'V number about four 
hundred. The houses, which are about one hundred in numbrr, are 
perfect models of neatness and simplicity; the land is well tilled, the 
animals amply provided for, and the barns, tools, every thing, in short, 
connected with the establishment, are kept in an enviable state of order. 
They have a meeting-house and school-house, and enjoy all things in 
common. The school affords a pl(>asaut entertainment to visitors, and 
the pupils appear to advantage when examined in any of their stiulies. 
Tlie people of this community possess a commendable reputation 
among their neighbors for industry, frugality, honesty, and good morals. 
They have six mills, one for carding and spinning; one grist-mill, in 
which is a saw-mill for timber, as also planing machines and shingle 
machines; three turning mills for wood and iron; one mil! for weav- 
ing, coloring, fulling, and for the knitting of shirts and drawers. Among 
the articles manufactured by the Shakers, are wooden-ware, llannel, 
and knit shirts and drawers, Angola shirts and drawers, sieves, feather- 
brushes, cakes of wax and maple sugar, bottles of jierfumery, essences, 
and medicines. Besides the Shaker village, the town contains one 
small village, called Hill's Corner. There are four meeting-houses — 
Congregational, Free-will Baptist, Shaker, and Union ; twelve school 
districts, and two post-offices — Canterbury and Shaker Village. Apart 
from the manufacturing establishments above enumerated, there are 
one or two saw-mills, and something is done in the way of shoemak- 
ing. The Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad passes through the 
town. Population, 1,614; valuation, §62o,7o8. 

Carroll, a wild and romantic township in the county of Cocis, has 
an area of 24,640 acres. It was originally named Bretton Woods, and 
was granted February 8, 1772, to Sir Thomas Wentworth, Bart., Rev. 
Samuel Langdon, and eighty-one others. It received its present name 
in 1832, the year of its incorporation. Cherry or Pondicherry moun- 
tain, in the northern part, lies between this town and Jefferson. Its 
surface is uneven, and covered mostly with a dense forest of maple, pine, 
heinlock, and spntce. There ar(> many siuall streams, abounding with 
trout. The soil though broken l)y rocks and hills, is deep and stronc;. 
The town contains a starch factory, and two luills for the manufacture 
<if boards, shingles, clapboards, and laths ; a Baptist church, four school 
districts, and one post-office. Population, 296 ; valuation, 8105,874. 



436 HISTORY AXD UESCRII'TIOX UF XEW EXGLAXD. 

Carroll Couxty, in the eastern ]iart of the state, north of Lake 
Winnepesaukee, contains an area of about 560 siiuare miles. It was 
established by act of the legislature, December 23, 1840, receiving its 
name out of respect to Hon. Charles Carroll, one of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence. The territory first comprised in the 
county was taken from Strafford, in fourteen towns, as follows : Albany, 
Brookfield, Chatham, Conway, Eaton, Effingham, Freedom, INIoulton- 
borough. Sandwich, Tamworth, Tuftonborough, Ossipee, Wakefield, and 
Wolf borough. Since the erection of the county, two towns — Jackson 
(formerly Adams), and Bartlett — have been added (in 1853) from 
Coos; and Madison has been incorporated from Eaton, making in 
all seventeen towns in the county. There is also one plantation.^ 
The surface is mountainous, — Ossipee mountain and Chocorua peak 
rising considerably above the rest of the country. The soil, though 
stubborn and requiring much attention, is mostly of a productive qual- 
ity. Quite a number of lakes and ponds diversify the face of the county, 
the most notable of which is Ossipee lake ; and there are numerous 
small streams, giving to the inhabitants water-power sufficient for all 
practical purposes. The county is drained by the Ossipee and Saco 
rivers. Ossipee has always been the shire town. 

Carroll county belongs to the fourth judicial district. A law term 
of the supreme judicial court is held annually at Ossipee on the second 
Tuesday of July. There are two jury terms of both the supreme 
judicial and common pleas courts, each commencing on the second 
Tuesday of May and third Tuesday of November. Population, 20,157 ; 
valuation, |4,769,7o0. 

Centre IIakbor is a small town in the northern part of Belknap 
county, and contains an area of about 7,500 acres. Irs settlement was 
commenced in 1755 by Ebenezer Chamberlain, who was followed, two 
years afterwards, by Colonel Joseph Senter. Their progress in improv- 
ing the township was slow. Their snppHes had, for some years, to 
be obtained from the iTiore prosperous settlements on the Merrimack. 
The titles to the lands were obtained under the grant of Governor 
Benning Wentworth to General Jonathan Moulton,^ in 17G3. On the 
incorporation of New Hampton, Centre Harbor was included within 
the territory of that town, and remained a part thereof until 1797, 
when it was set off and incorporated under its present name, which, 
it is alleged, was triven on account of the location of the place midway 
between two other jiorts or landing-places on the lake. It is main- 

' Hailu's Location. ' See article on New Hampton. 



NEW HAMPSIIIEE TOWN OP CENTKE HARBOR. 437 

tained, on the contrary, that its name was designed to be in compli- 
ment to Colonel Senter; lint, liy a clerical mistake, it was recorded 
Criifrc Harbor. The early settlers came princijially from Chester. 
Hampton, Raymond, Candia, and Londonderry in this state, and from 
Ipswich and Halifax, Mass. In 1812, the first house of worship was 
erected in the easterly }iart of the town; but the edifice, after some 
years, went to decay, and was st)me time since removed. The jires- 
ent edifice in the village was erected by the Congrcgationalists in lSo7. 
The surface of the town is hilly ; bitt there is a strong soil, producing 
average crops. Squam lake is a beautiful sheet of water, making the 
northern boundary of the town, and is much visited in the stimmer 
season for fishing and bathing. Lake Winnepcsavikee, that forms the 
southern boundary, is, however, the gi-eat place of resort for pleasure 
seekers, in which respect its attractions are second only to the White 
Mountains. The extreme length of the lake is some twenty-five miles, 
and its gi-eatest breadth about ten miles, its altitude above the sea 
being 472 feet. In form, it is quite irregular, and its surface is bespan- 
gled with numerous islands, which fact, with the beauty of its marginal 
lands and its surrounding mountains, — its pure water, well stocked with 
fish, and the ever invigorating breezes that seem to be at home here, — 
renders it a most desirable summer retreat. Two steamers make the cir- 




Sunset view of Lake Wiiinepesaukee from Centre Harbor. 

cttit of the larger part of the lake, between the Weirs, Centre Harlior, 
Wolfboro', and Alton Bay. Sloojis and boats are also seen gliding in 
37' 



438 HISTOKY AND DESCUIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

every direction. There are twn reli<rious societies — Coiigregatioiiaiist, 
and Free-will Baptist ; eight school districts, with 2o7 scholars : and 
one jiost-ollice. Popidation, y4o ; valuation, §142,241. 

Charle.stown, in the western part of Sitllivan county, extends thir- 
teen miles on Connecticut river, and is fifty-one luiles from Concord. 
Charlestown was first settled under the authority of Massachusetts in 
1740, and was originally called Number Four, a name sometimes 
ap]jlied to it at the present time. It was granted December 31, 1735, 
to sixty-three persons, belonging to Northampton, Hadley, Hatfield, 
Deerfield, and Sunderland, Mass. The first settlers were three families 
by the nante of Farnsworth, who came from Lunenburg, Mass. ; and 
others soon followed. Few towns in New England have sitftered more 
severely than Charlestown from the attacks of the Indians, being the 
northern frontier town, and hence exposed to peculiar dangers. In 
1743, the inhabitants began to consult their safety by erecting a fort, 
which they soon had occasion to know the value of, by reason of being 
attacked, on the 19th of April, 1746, by a party of Indians, who burnt 
the mills, and carried John Sj)afi()rd, Isaac Parker, and Stephen Farns- 
worth, as captives to Canada. This was followed, in the beginning of 
May, by another attack, in which Seth Putnam, one of the soldiers 
belonging to the fort, was killed. The enemy, however, were soon 
dispersed by Major Willard. On the 24tli of the same month, Captain 
Paine arrived with a troop of horse from Massachusetts; and twenty 
of the men went to view the spot where Putnam was killed, when they 
were attacked by a large body of Indians, and were only saved from 
capture or destruction by the prompt appearance of Captain Stevens, 
commander of the garrison, who engaged the Indians in a severe con- 
test, which resulted in much loss to the enemy, and the loss of nine of 
Stevens's men in killed, wounded, and captured. 

The settknnent was again visited on the 19th of June the same 
year; but before the Indians had time to attack, they were assaulted 
by Captain Stevens and Captain Brown, with fifty men; and were 
repulsed, while the loss to the victors was one luan killed and four 
wounded. A party of the enemy appeared again on the Iburtli of 
August : suspicions of their appearance being excited by the barking 
of dogs, scouts w^ere sent out, wdio were fired upon by the Imlians, 
and one of them killed, while the residue escaped to the fort, which the 
enemy surrounded, and endeavored for three days to take ; but finding 
their eflforts abortive, they withdrew, burning several buildings, and 
killing all the live-stock within their reach. This state of afiiiirs con- 
tinited till the following spring, when the " inhabitants, fatigued with 
watchintr, and weary of the dangers of the forest," abandoned the place. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF CHARLESTOWN. 439 

111 March, 1747, Captain Phiiieas Stevens, with tiiirty men, took 
possession of tiu- fort ; and had not been in it many days ln'fore they 
were attacked l)y a very large party of French and Indians, commanded 
by M. Debeiine. The gate of the fort was kept closetl ; l)ut one of tiie 
men veutun-d out, when he was fired upon by the enemy and wounded, 
managing, however, to reach the fort. The assailants then attacked the 
fort on ail sides, and the assault lasted for three days. But Indian 
stratagem and French tactics, witli fire applied to every combustible 
about the fort, failed of tiie desired effect. The men remained un- 
daunted, and fought with the utmost resolution. An interview between 
the commanders, Mons. Debeiine and Captain Stevens, at length took 
place. The Frenchman exhibited his forces, and depicted the horrid mas- 
sacre that would take place unless the fort should be surrendered ; to 
wiiieh Captain Stevens replied, that, " Inasmuch as he was sent here to 
defend the fort, it w^ould not be consistent with his orders to give it up, 
unless he should be better satisfied that he [Mons. Debeiine] was able to 
jierform what he threatened." — " Well," said the Frenchman, "go into 
the fort, and see whether your men dare fight any more." After a 
consultation with the men. Captain Stevens returned, saying, " They 
had determined to fight it oiit." The attack again commenced with 
increased fury, and continued all night. The next morning, the con- 
testants again came to a parley, which resulted unfavorably, whin the 
enemy, after firing some few shots, returneil to Canada, leaving the 
intrepid commander in possession of the fort. Captain Stevens, for liis 
gallantry on this occasion, not only received the thanks of the people gen- 
erally, but was presented, by Commodore Sir diaries Knowles, with a 
valuable and elegant sword as a reward for his bravery ; and from this 
circumstance the town received the name of Charlestown, when incor- 
porated, which was on the 2d of July, 1758 ; the charter having been 
granted by Ciovernor Wentworth, to Joseph Wells, Phineas Stevens, 
and others, who were purchasers under the old grantees. Another 
attack was made in March, i74S, nn eight men, one of whom was 
killed, one wounded, and one taken prisoner; and, in .Tune, Oiiadiaii 
Sartwell was killed while ploughing, and Enos Stevens, son of the 
defender of the fort, captured and carried to Canada, from whence he 
was soon after released. A treaty of peace was concluded in tlie 
following September, and depredations, for a while, ceased. 

After the autumn of 1752, the inhabitants made less use of tlie fort, 
and entered with increasing courage into the duties of their voca- 
tion. The Indians seemed disposed to traffic, and things began to wear 
a peaceful aspect, when the war with England and France again broke 
out, and put a period to all hopes of peace during its continuance. On 



440 HISTORY AND DESCKIPTIOX OF NEW EX6LAXD. 

the 29th of August, 17;")4, the Iiuliaiis attacked tlie house of James Joliii- 
soii, and he, his wife, her sister, and three eliiidren, and two men, — 
Peter Laberee and Ebenezer Farnsworth, — lodgers in the house, were 
taken prisoners. On the second day, about fifteen miles from Ciiarles- 
town, in the wilderness, Mrs. Johnson gave birth to a daughter, whom 
she named Captive, who afterwards married Colonel George Kimball. 
Mrs. Joinison was treated with unexpected humanity by the Indians, 
who tarried one day for her accommodation, carried her on a litter, and 
placed her afterwards on a horse, besides protecting and nursing her 
infant. Attacks continued to be made, and this painful state of affairs 
lasted till 1760, during which several persons were murdered, and many 
carried into captivity, while the mills were again burnt, and other depre- 
dations committed. In June of this year, hostilities ceased. 

About this time, Charlestown was the principal stojiping place, during 
the French war, for soldiers and officers passing to and from Ticon- 
(h^-oga and Crown Point across the Green Mountains. As a small 
company of soldiers, with a young lieutenant,^ about the close of 
the war, were returning from these military stations, through dense for- 
ests over these mountains, by marked trees, they found a soldier by the 
wayside, apparently dying, who had been left by his companions some 
five or six days before. It was late in the fall, when the niglits were 
cold. His little stock of food and fuel, which his companions had 
kindly ]irovided and supposed would last longer tiian his life, were 
nearly consumed. On offering him assistance, the sick man begged 
tlicrn to let him alone to die in peace. But the young lieutenant, 
liclicving his life might be saved, determined to act the good Samaritan. 
Contrary to the sick soldier's entreaties, he ordered his foul garments 
to be carefully removed ; the soldier himself to be thoroughly washed 
and cleansed ; to be clothed in comfortal^le raiment, with which the 
company were fortunately provided ; and directed his attendants to speak 
words of encouragement and kindness ; to stay by him, supplying 
his wants, till able to walk, and then help him to reach the first settle- 
ment. It was all he needed. In three days, he arrived at the public- 
house in Charlestown, where, with tears of joy, he gi-asped the hand of 
his kind deliverer, the young lieutenant; and, with feelings which choked 
liis utterance, told him that no words could express his gi-atitude to the 
man who had persisted in saving his life against his own remonstrance. 

The people once more turned their attention to the improvement and 
embellishnu'nt of the scene of so many unexampled trials, in which they 

' Attcrwanis Colonel AVilliam Ilensliaw, ot' Leicester, Mass. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF CIIARLESTOWN. 44.1 

continued actively engaged till the war of the Revolution brolvc out. 
when they were again called upon To relax their hold upon the imple- 
ments of peace, and take up those of war. A people who manifested 
such signal covirage in the proteetiou of their homes from the attaelcs 
of the Indians, of course would not he loth to engage in another contest 
equally great and nolslc. It is sullicieut to say, that Charlestown, hore 
her part in tlie struggle.^ 

Charlestown is situated in a delightful and fertile valley; and, on the 
east, has a high range of hills. It is watered by Connecticut and Little 
Sugar rivers, in the former of which there are three islands, the largest. 
called Sartwell's island, containing about ten acres, which is under a 
high state of cultivation. These rivers furnish few mill privileges. 
The village of Charlestown lies between tvvo meadows, known as the 
Upper and Lower meadows, and is calculated to awaken, from its 
secluded loveliness, the admiration of the traveller. The Upper meadow 
contains about two hundred acres, and the Lower about five hundred ; 
the soil of which is alluvial and exceedingly productive. There are 
other meadows of diflferent sizes, which, together with the tsvo already- 
mentioned, contain about twelve hundred acres. Among the distin- 
guishing features of the village are its neatness, its long and pleasant 
street, shaded on either side by a row of trees, and its regularly ])ropor- 
tioned, though not magnificent, buildings. Here is an elegant brick 
meeting-house, owned by the Unitarians ; also the building occupied by 
the Connecticut River Bank, which has a capital of •'iiilOO,000 ; and the 
now deserted court house and dilapidated jail, which were used when 
Charlestown was the " place of judgment." 

The town is connected with Springfield by a substantial bi-idge, which 
crosses the Connecticut about a mile from the village. Besides the one 
already mentioned, there are two church edifices, belonging respectively 
to the Congregationalists and the Methodists ; three villages — South 
Charlestown, Charlestown, and North Charlestown, each of which has 
a post-office and a railroad station. There is a considerable market for 
wool here, which is bought up in the surrounding country, and packed 
and transmitted to the various markets. There are also two establish- 
ments for the manufacture of ladies' and gentlemen's boots, which give 
employment to numerous workmen. There are twelve school districts. 
The Sullivan Railroad passes through here. Population, 1,644 ; valu- 
ation, $896,874. 

' Among the distinguished residents of this town, besides Captain Stevens ah-eadv 
noticed, may be mentioned Colonel WiUiam Heywood, Colonel Samuel Hunt, Hon, 
Simeon Olcott, and Hon, Benjamin AV'est, all of whom held important civil and military 
offices; Governor Henry Hubbard, and the late Chief .Justice John J. Gilchrist. 



442 HISTORV AND DESCIUl'TION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

Chatham, Carroll county. I'u'h on tlio ca^^t side of the White Moun- 
tains, and adjoins the line wliich divides New Hampshire from Maine, 
being ninety-two miles from Concord. Peter Livius and others re- 
ceived the grant, February 7, 1767. It now contains, in addition to the 
ten-itory granted at this time, a tract of land formerly known as War- 
ner's location, — the combined area being about twenty-six thousand 
acres. Tlie surface jjresents many obstacles to cultivation, — being 
composed principally of mountains and rocks. Between Chatham and 
Jackson lie Baldface and Doublehead mountains, the former lieing 
3,600 feet, and the latter 3,100 feet high, and presenting an impassable 
barrier to the opening of communication between the two towns by 
means of a road ; hence the inhabitants, in their intercourse witii the 
other towns in the county, are compelled to make a circuit through a 
portion of the state of Maine. A part of Mount Kearsarge is also in 
Chatham. There are several ponds and some large streams. Chat- 
ham has one church edifice; seven school districts; a saw-mill, and a 
grist-mill. Population, 516 ; valuation, 6117,206. 

Cheshire Cot'XTY, forming the southwest extremity of the state, has 
an area of about 770 square miles. It was established by act of the 
colonial government, " dividing this province into counties," published 
on the 19th of March, 1771, and, by the boundaries laid down at that 
time, contained all of its northern neighbor, Sullivan. By act of the 
state legislature passed January 2, 1829, the boundaries were thus de- 
fined : " Beginning at the southeast corner of Rindge ; thence westerly 
by the state line to the west bank of the Connecticut river ; thence up 
the same bank to the northwest corner of Walpole ; thence by the 
northerly lines of Walpole, Alstead, Marlow, and Stoddard, to the line 
of the county of Hillsborough ; thence by the line of the last-mentioned 
county to the bounds first mentioned." These boundaries have not 
since been materially disturbed. The county at present contains 
twenty-two towns, Keene being the shire. 

Cheshire county has generally an uneven surface, with a few prom- 
inent elevations, such as the Grand Monadnock and Ashuelot moun- 
tains. Along the Connecticut and other streams, the soil is fertile, and 
abundantly rewards the labors of the husbandman. The Connecticut, 
which forms the boundary on the west, the Ashuelot and its tributaries, 
and the head branches of the Contoocook, with other streams, supply 
abundance of water, for manufacturing and other purposes. The Ches- 
hire Railroad, from Fitchburg, Mass., to Bellows Falls, Vt., antl the 
Ashuelot Railroad, from South Vernon, Vt., to Keene, are wholly within 
this county. 



NEW HAMPSIirUE — TOWN OF CIIESTEU. 443 

Tho founty belongs to the third judicial district, a law term i'nrwliit'li 
is held amivially at Keeiie on the first Tuesday of .Inly. There are two 
jury terms for the supreme JTidicial court and for the court of connnon 
pli'us, ijoth comincncini;- at the same time, on the ihird Tuesdays of 
March and September. Populatioji, 30,144; valuatit)n, .$11,759,894. 

Chester, in the western section of Rockingham county, adjoins Man- 
chester, and is twenty-three miles from Concord. Eighty persons, be- 
longing chiefly to Hampton and Portsmouth, associated themselves, in 
October, 1719, for the purpose of obtaining a grant of a township in the 
■• Cliestnut country," and placed three men on the land they had selected 
to keep possession. After so doing, they petitioned for a grant, which 
was accorded to them, August 26, 1720, consisting of a tract ten miles 
sijuare. Several individuals froni Rye and Hampton immediately com- 
menced the settlement. Those wdio appear to have been the most 
zealous and useful in the undertaking were Samuel Ingalls, Jonathan 
Goodhue, Jacob Sargent, Ebenezer Dearborn, Roljcrt Smith, two men 
by the name of Colby, and two by the name of Robie. Several fami- 
lies from the north of Ireland commenced settlements aboitt the same 
time. The Indian war prevented any great progress being made from 
1722 to 1726 ; though the natives, it appears, did not commit any great 
depredations beyond the capture of Thomas Smith and John Carr, who 
l)oth escaped from their captors, and arrived in safety at a garrison in 
Londonderry. Several garrison-houses were maintained here till after 
the j)eacc of 1749. Chester, which had previously been called Cheshire, 
was, on the 8th of May, 1722, incorporated. Portions of its territory 
have been annexed to Derryfield and to Hooksett; Long Meadows, Can- 
dia, and Freetown were formed entirely from it ; and lastly, in June, 
1845, Auburn was incorporated from its westerly part. The aborigines 
had a settlement of ten or twelve wigwams on an island in Massabesic 
pond, vestiges of which are said to have been visible as late as 1823. 

In March, 1731, the first meeting-house was completed, which stood a 
few rods south of the present Congregational edifice. Over the first soci- 
ety Rev. Ebenezer Flagg was pastor from 1736 until his death, in 1796. 
The Presbyterians built a house in 1739, and were served by Rev. John 
Wilson from 1734 until his death, in 1779. Hon. Samuel Bell, who 
came to Chester in 1812, was governor of this state from 1819 to 1823, 
and senator in congress from 1823 to 1835. His sons, Hon. Samuel D. 
Bell, one of the judges of the supreme court of New Hampshire, the late 
Hon. James Bell, senator in congress from this state in 1855, and Luther 
V. Bell, M. D., for many years the superintendent of the McLean Luna- 
tic Asylum, at Somerville, Mass., were born in Francestown, but were 



444 IIISTOKY AXD IiESCRIPTIOX OF XEW EXfiLAXI). 

(|iute vonn2; tit the time of tlicir fatlicrV removal to this town. His 
brother, Hon. J(_)h'n Bell, who was governor in 1828, was also a resident 
of this town. 

The snrfai-e of tiic town is rather uneven, but the .soil is tolerably 
ijood. A branch of Exeter river is the only stream of importance. 
There are three villages — Chester, East Chester, and Hall's Village; 
three church edifices — Congregational, Methodist, and Baptist; eleven 
school districts, and the same number of schools, with 376 pupils ; an 
academy, and two post-offices — Chester and East Chester. Population, 
1,301 ; valuation, $359,768. 

Chesteufield, Cheshire county, is situated on the Connecticut river, 
and is eleven miles from Kecne, and sixty-five from Concord. It was 
gi-anted Februaiy 11, 1752, to sixty-five persons, and was settled on the 
2otli of November, 1761, by Moses Smith and AVilliam Thomas with 
their families, who located upon the bank of Connecticut river. They 
were followed, in the spring of 1762, by Abel Emmons and Captain 
Simon Davis, from which time the population so increased, that, in ten 
years, it contained one hundred and fifty families. 

Chesterfield is generally hilly, and few towns on the Connecticut 
river contain so little interval land. Along the whole extent of the 
town bordering upon the river, the hills apjirouch near to the river's 
side. There is much good upland, on which valuable crops of hay and 
Indian corn are raised. It is watered by the Connecticut, and Cat's- 
i)ane brook, the latter of which furnishes many mill seats. A beautiful 
lake — Spatlord's — lies here, and is about eight miles in circumfer- 
ence, being fed by springs. Partridge's brook, which furnishes water- 
))ower sullicient to carry the machinery of a cotton factory and several 
mills, issues from this lake. In the lake is an island, which, it is asserted 
by some, was formerly the residence of a tribe of Indians, from the dis- 
covery there of various relics peculiar to an Indian settlement. 

The most noted mountain in Chesterfield is West River nu)imtain, 
lying partly in Hinsdale, and which was once the scene of a volcanic 
eruption. There is at present a considerable cjuantity of lava near its 
crater ; and it is said by those who live near it, that it frequently trem- 
bles, and a rumbling noise is heard in its bowels. Some of the early 
inhabitants, seeing an aperture in it, su])posed that it led to a silver 
mine — thereupon obtained a lease of it, and foolishly connnenced 
digging for the article that would make their fortunes. None of it, 
however, has come to light, though the diggers have exhibited uncom- 
mon perseveranc(!. There are tsvo pleasant viUages ; four churches — 
Congregational, Methodist, one occupied by the Baptists and Univer- 



NEW HAMPSIilRE TOWN OF CUICIIESTER, ETC. 445 

salists, and one by the Uiiiversalists and Motliodistt; ; fifteen school dis- 
tricts; an academy, incorporated in January, 1790, and opened in Au- 
gust, 1794, for a long time the only one in Cheshire county; and two 
post-offices — Chesterfield and Chesterfield Factory : also, one cotton 
manufactory, one spiral-bit and auger factory, one accelerating-wheel 
factory, two grist-mills, ten saw-mills, one tannery, and one sash antl 
blind manufactory. Population, 1,680 ; valuation, $571,8^9. 

Chichester, in the eastern section of ]Merrimack county, adjoining 
Concord, was granted May 20, 1727, to Nathaniel Gookin and others ; 
but the land remained in its primitive condition till 17o8, when Paul 
Morrill commenced its settlement. The powerful tribe of Indians called 
the Penacooks, who had their head-quarters at what is now Concord, 
resided in the vicinity of this town, and planted their com and oilier 
seeds on the banks of the Suncook. Traces of Indian settlements are still 
visible in various j)arts, and many Indian relies have been discovered. 

The surfaci; of Chichester is generally level, and the soil of a produc- 
tive character. Most of the land is occupied by industrious farmers, 
whose efforts arc richly repaid by as bountiful crops as any land in the 
county can produce. Bear hill, lying in the north part, is the principal 
eminence, and is under cultivation. Chichester is watered on the east 
by the Suncook river, into which flow several smaller streams from the 
south side of tiie town. This river is bordered by some interval land, 
and furnishes many good mill seats. Linkfield pond lies here, and 
from it flows a small stream southwest into the Soueook river. There 
are three church edifices — Methodist, Congregationalist, and Free-will 
Baptist; seven school districts, and two post-ofEces — Chichester and 
>Jorth Chichester : also, one grist-miU, and three saw-mills. Population, 
997 ; valuation, $o22,oo6. 

Clarejioxt, in the extreme western part of Sullivan county, bordering 
on the Connecticut river, and adjoining Newport, was granted October 
26, 1764, to Josiah Willard, Samuel Ashley, and sixty-seven others. 
Its name was derived from the country residence of Lord Clive, an 
English nobleman. Moses Spafford and David Lynde, in 1762, were 
tiie earfiest settlers; and, between 1763 and 1766, many others arrived. 
A large number of persons from Farmington, Hebron, and Colchester, 
Conn., many of whom were proprietors, came in during the year 1767, 
and made settlements in different parts of the town. Elijah, son of 
Moses Spafford, born in 1763, was the first native of Claremont. The 
first churches organized were of the Congregational and Episcopal orders. 

Several of the earlier settlers may be noticed as somewhat distiu- 

VOL. I. 38 



446 



]II.¥T0IIY AND ItE.SCKli'TIOX OF NEW KNULAXD. 



gnishetl. Saniucl Colo, a ifnidnate of Yale in 1731, was for many years 
an instructor of youth, and died at a good old age. Dr. "William 
Sumner, a native of Boston, came here in 1768 from Hebron, Conn.. 
and died in March, 1778 ; Colonel Benjamin Sumner, -wjio died in 
May, ISlo, aged seventy-eight, was, for a number of years, a civil magis- 
trate; Colonel Joseph Waite, distinguished as having been in the 
French and Indian wars, a captain of one of Rogers's comjianies cf 
Rangers, and as commander of a regiment in the war of the Revolution, 
died in October, 1776; Captain Joseph Taylor, who died in INIarch, 
1813, at the ago of eighty-four, took part in the siege of Louisburg, the 
French and the Revolutionary wars, and was, with one Farwell, cap- 
tured by the Indians in the summer of 1755, taken to Canada, and sold 
to the French; Hon. Samuel Ashley, who came here in 1782, and had 
served in the wars of 1745 and 1755, filled several civil oilices, among 








Claremont ViUagi 



which was that of judge of the court of common pleas : he died in Feb- 
ruary, 1792. Hon. Caleb Ellis was member of Congress in 1804, of the 
executive council from 1809 to 1810, and judge of the superior court 
from 1813 till his death, ]\Iay 9, 1816 : the late Hon. Ralph Metcalf, 
governor of this state from 1855 to 1857, was also a resident. 

Claremont is possessed of an undulating .surface, which is covered 
with a rich, gravelly loam, presenting advantages of a superior order to 
the agriculturist. Meadows, pastures, and interval are met with in 



NEW IIAMP.-^IURE — TOWN OF CLAREMOXT. 447 

nbundnncp : the latter, along tiie rivers, being ridi and luxuriant. (Ircen 
mountain, h ing near Newport, is the only elevation of note. The iiills 
and aeelivities are capable of c-nltivation to their summits. Sugar 
river and the Connecticut, together with numerous other rivers and rivu- 
lets, furnish ample supplies of water. Sugar river runs through Clare- 
mont village, affording an immense water-power, the fall in three (pi-ar- 
ters of a mile being one hundred and fifty feet. Each twenty feet fur- 
nishes sufficient power to carry twenty thousand spindles, — th(^ entire 
fill through the town being two hundred and fifty feet. 

C'laremont village, an accurate original view of which is given on the 
preceding page, is a thriving place, quite thickly settled, and having 
manufacturing interests of an extensive character. The private dwell- 
ings and the buildings generally, as well here as in other parts, indicate 
the wealth and prosperity with which the inhabitants are blessed. The 
following are the principal manufacturing works in the village. The 
Sunapee Mills, with a capital of !?30,000, manufacture ten thousand 
yards of sheetings and drillings weekly, consuming 104,000 pounds of 
cotton annually. The Monadnock Mills, for the manufacture of cotton 
goods, have a factory building of 418 feet in length, including wheel-house 
and repair-shop, the main wings of which are 124 feet long, sixty feet 
wide, and five stories high. The capital stock is $200,000 ; the number 
of operatives, 400 — one hundred males, three hundred females ; the 
amount of stock annually consumed, 725,000 pounds; tlie amount of 
goods manufactured, 2,0-50,000 square yards; and the amount of 
money amiuajly paid to operatives, 875,000. The Claremont Machine 
Works manufacture engine-lathes and planers, for which the highest 
premiums have been received at the Crystal Palace, and have a capital 
stock of $15,000, employing thirty hands. The Home ]\Iills, with a 
capital of $30,000, manufacture 363,000 yards of thirty-seven inch 
sheetings, consume 80,000 pounds of cotton, and pay out annually to 
operatives $78,000. The woollen factory of Sanford and Rossiter, with 
a capital of $40,000, manufactures 45,000 yards of cassimeres, and 
consumes 50,000 pounds of wool every year ; number of operatives, 
thirty. The Claremont Manufacturing Conqiany was incorporated in 
1S52 with an authorized capital of 8500,000, $100,000 of which has 
l>ieu paid in; has three mills with nine engines; manufactures two 
hundred and fifty tons of paper per year, and blank books to the 
amount of $50,000; employsforty males and fifty females. There are 
in this village forty-six stores; two banks — the Claremont, and the 
Sullivan Savings Institution ; and two large shoe manufactories, em- 
|)loying a great many hands. 

West Claremont is the name of a second village, also possessing 



448 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTIOX OF NEW ENGLAND. 

many advantages. Tlicrc art' in Claremoiit seven churcli edifices — 
two Episcopal, a Methodist, a Congregationalist, a Universalist, a 
Baptist, and a Roman Catliolic ; nineteen scliool districts ; and two 
post-offices — Claremont and West Claremont: also, three hotels — 
the Fremont house, the Sullivan house, and the Island house; two 
weekly newspapers — the National Eagle, and the Northern Advocate ; 
besides, — in West Claremont village, — two paper-mills, two saw-mills, 
two grist-mills, one store, and a hotel. The Concord and Claremont 
Railroad is projected, and the Sullivan passes through the town. Pop. 
3,606 ; valuation, &2,012fi0l. 

Clarksville, Coos county, lies in the most northerly part of the state, 
and is one hundred and fifty-six miles from Concord. A part of the 
town comes within the famous Indian Stream territory, the settlement 
of which has been principally made since 1810. It was endowed 
with corporate privileges in June, 1S54, and adjoins Pittsburgh, with 
which it is classed for the election of representative. The appearance 
of the country is broken and hilly, and the soil requires more than 
common efforts to make it yield even average crops. Clarksville pond, 
having an area of one hundred acres, and Carr pond, of about thirty 
acres, are the only two bodies of water in town. Indian Stream, and 
several tributaries of the Connecticut river, pass through the settlement. 
There are three school districts, with an attendance of sixty-six scholars; 
and a post-office : also, two saw-mills and one grist-mill. Population in 
1857, 200 ; valuation, 848,550. 

CoLEBRooK, in Coos county, has an area of 25,000 acres, and is one 
hundred and forty miles from Concord. It was originally granted to 
Sir George Colebrook, and the act of incorporation was passed Decem- 
ber 1, 1790. It is watered by the Mohawk river, which affords some 
fine locations for mills ; and by other smaller streams. The soil has 
good agricultural capacities, which are moderately improved. There is 
some excellent interval land along the valleys of the Mohawk and the 
Connecticut. There are three villages — Colebrook Corner, Factory 
Village, and Kidderville ; t\vo churches — Congregationalist and Union ; 
an academy, with a fund of $12,000 : also, a starch manufactory, four 
saw-mills, and two grist-mills. The trade of the place consists in starch, 
grass-seed, beef, pork, mutton, wool, and other articles of country pro- 
duce. There are eleven school districts, and one post-office. Popula- 
tion, 908 ; valuation, $244,455. 

Columbia, Coos county, on the Connecticut river, has an area of 37,822 



NEW HAMPSHIRE CITY OF CONCORD. 449 

acres, and is one hnndred and thirty-five miles from Concord. It was 
o-ranted December 1, 1770, to Sir James Coclvbm-nc of London, and 
otliers, from which circumstance it received the plantation name of 
Cocliburnc. It was incorporated December 16, 1797, and its name was 
changed to Columbia, June 19, 1811. The township originally comprised 
only 32,000 acres ; but the annexation of "Wales Location, made it up to 
37,822 acres. The surface is uneven and mountainous along the south- 
ern limits, and from the elevations descend a number of streams into 
the Connecticut, amply watering the soil, and afibrdiiig fine mill |)rivi- 
leges. The soil is of good quality. A very remarkable pond, called 
Lime, lies two miles southeast of Chamberlain's Town, in Colebrooic. on 
a small branch of Simm's stream. It is 160 rods long and fifty wide 
of an oval and rather irregular shape, bottomed to a depth of six feet 
with pure white, calcareous marl: in connection with this myriads of 
shells are ftiund, immense numbers of which are still seen in the 
waters of the pond, usually collected under loose stones. This mad 
makes good lime. Impure blue and gray liniestt)ne exists in abun- 
dance around the shores of the pond. There is a little village in the 
northwest part of the town, called the Valley, containing the only churcli 
edifice, which is owned by the Baptists and Methodists. The trade 
consists in very little except country produce. Considerable quantities 
of lumber, however, are manufactured, and transported to market on 
rafts down the Connecticut. Maple sugar is also mamtfactured largely. 
There are four saw-mills, three grist-mills, two clapboard machines, 
and one starch-mill : also, ten school districts, with a good school-house 
in each ; and one post-office. Population, 762; valuation, 8163,712. 

CoxcORP, Merrimack county, first called Penacook, lying on both 
sides of Merrimack river, is a city, and the capital of New Hampshire. 
It was granted by Massachusetts, January 17, 1725, to Benjamin 
Stevens, Ebenezer Eastman, and ninety-eight others, and was laid out 
the year following, seven miles square. Some difficulty arose with New 
Hampshire in reference to the grant thus made, this jurisdiction claim- 
ing that Massachusetts had no authority over the territory, which was 
not settled for a number of years. According to tradition, several per- 
sons, among whom were Henry Rolfe and Richard Urann, passed the 
winter of 1726 here, suffering severely from the cold and for want 
of suitable provisions, till refieved by friendly Indians, some of whom 
still dwelt in Penacook. In 1727, Captain Ebenezer Eastiuan moved 
his family in, and the same year a block-house, forty feet by twenty- 
five, was erected, intended to ser\e the double purpose of a fort and 
meeting-house. In 1728, arrangements were made for building a suw- 
38* 



450 HISTORY AND DESCUIPTIOX OF NEW ENGLAND. 

mill and grist-mill, and for the cstablishmpiit of a ferry. In 1730, Rev. 
Timothy Walker was settled as minister, with a salary of i^JOO. From 
1731 till 1733, Penacook was in a transition state from a jjjantation to 
an incorporated town ; but, towards the latter part of 1733, corporate 
privileges were conferred upon it with the name of Rumford. In No- 
vember, 1739, it was voted to construct a garrison around the house of 
Rev. Mr. Walker, at the town's cost. In 1741, when the division line 
was run between Massachusetts and New Hampshire, Rumford fell 
within the bounds of the latter province, which was received with gen- 
eral regret by the citizens; and a petition presented to the king, praying 
to be continued under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts bay ; but all 
was in vain. 

Thus far the people had enjoyed a good degree of ]3eace and pros- 
perity, and had made rapid progress in agriculture and the arts and 
c-omforts of life. From 1744 to 1762, however, they were most of the 
time in a state of alarm and trouble, chiefly from the Indians, instigated 
by the French from Canada. Petitions were presented (one of which 
was signed by sixty-four persons), to New Hampshire and to Massa- 
chusetts, for men and means ; and, in answer to these petitions, early in 
1745, two small companies Avere furnished by New Hampshire and two 
by Massachusetts. In 1746, seven garrisons or forts were erected, built 
of hewn logs, lying flat one upon the other, having within their inclosure 
several small buildings for the accommodation of families. In the one 
round the house of Rev. Mr. Walker were stationed eight men, with 
their families ; in that round the house of Ebenczer Eastman, thirteen ; 
in that of the house of Jonathan Eastman, eight; in that of Hem-y Love- 
joy, ten; in that of Jeremiah Stickney, twenty ; in that of Joseph Hall, 
fifteen ; and in that of Timothy Walk(>r, Jr., twenty-two, and their fami- 
lies. Yet, notwithstanding these precautionary measures, five men 
were kilK'd by the Indians, and two taken prisoners, August 11, 1746. 
The names of those killed were SaTuuel and Jonathan Bradley, Obadiali 
Peters, John Bean, and John Lufkin, to whose memory a monument 
was erected in 1837 by Richard Bradley, a great-grandson of Samuel 
Bradley. In 1748, by treaty between France and England, hostilities 
were suspended for a few years; yet the Indians still continued to make 
depredations, sometimes murdering or carrying off the whites. In 1752, 
John Stark of Derryfield and Amos Eastman of Rumford were car- 
ried to St. Francis, and retained in captivity six weeks, when they were 
ransomed. Hostilities were again commenced in 1754, and continued 
till 1762, during which the people had to sustain a constant watch, and 
go armed to perform almost ev(^ry duty. In this war, ns well as in tlio 
expedition to Louisbm-g (in which Captain Ebenezer Eastman com- 



NEW HAJIPSIiniE — CITY OF CdNCOlU). 451 

manded a company), Ruuilnnl contrilmtpd her full sharp both of mon 
and means, t'aprain John ^'handler eommaiuh'd a emiipany in 17o4; 
Captain Jo.scpli Eastman in 17-3(3, and Captain John Goffe in 1756. 
]\Iany of the men composing these companies served under those fear- 
less leaders, Robert Rogers, John Stark, and William Stark; and tlicir 
exploits generally were of the most daring character. 

From 1733 to 1762, a controversy existed between the proprietors of 
Rumford and Bow, the latter asserting their right, under a grant from 
New Hampshire, to a great portion of the territory of Rumford.' This 
grant was made to one hundred and seven proprietors and their asso- 
ciates — the latter being the governor and lieutenant-governor, and other 
members of the government of New Hampshire. Most of the original 
proprietors of Bow having forfeited their rights by failing to fultil the 
conditions of the grant, the new township fell into the hands of the as- 
sociates; and hence, in supjjorting their right to the territory, the proprie- 
tors of Rumford had to sustain a " tilting match," not so mitch with the 
individual inhabitants of Bow as with the government of New Haiup- 
shire. Such being the case, it seemed almost impossible that an impar- 
tial trial could be had; for the government itself was almost entirely the 
tribunal before which the case was heard. Happily the proprietors of 
Rumford were firm in their purpose, and were determined to stand by 
each other in every instance. So the case was allowed to proceed ; but 
as it is not our purpose to follow it through all its ramifications, we will 
merely state, that, failing, after successive efforts, to procure any redress 
from New Hampshire, Rev. Timothy Walker and Benjamin Rolfe were 
appointed by the town, February 12, 1753, to make representation of 
the dilficulties to the English government. They were indefatigable, 
persevering, and, eventually, successful in obtaining redress of griev- 
ances, the king having, liy nn order in council, dated the 29rh of 
December, 1762, decided the matter against the government of New 
Hampshire and in favor of Rumford. Mr. Walker crossed the ocean 
three times for the above-mentioned piu-pose, and early secured the ser- 
vices of Mr. Murray, afterwards Lord Chief Justice Mansfield, who had 
first the management of the case as attorney, and lastly, the decision 
of it as judge. The matter, however, lingered on after this till 1774, 
when it was settled. In 1765, an act of incorporation was passed by 
New Hampshire, the title of which reads : " An act for setting off a 
part of the Town of Bow, togetln'r with some lands adjoining thereto, 
with the inhabitants thereon, and making them a Parish : investing 
them with such privileges and inuuunitics as Towns in this Province 

' Sec Bow. 



452 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

have and do enjoy."' To this parish in the town of Bow, the name of 
Concord wa.s given, to express — so tradition says — the entire una- 
nimity in pur])ose and action wliich had uniformly characterized the 
inhabitants during this long controversy. It will be seen that the gov- 
ernment of New Hampshire clung to their original ptarpose of giving 
Bow the preeminence, which shows that the decision in council was 
a hitter pill for the government to swallow. 

In 1751, a new meeting-house, two stories high, was erected on the 
spot now occupied by the Methodist Biblical Institute. It was built of 
white oak timber, without porches or gallery, had only one entrance, 
a door on the south side, while the seats were coarse benches ranged 
on each side of the broad aisle. Having been improved and enlarged 
at various times, it was long known as the " Old North Church," the 
most spacious and best fiLled house of worship in the state. 

It may be a matter of interest to the reader to know, that, as late as 
1774, negroes were bought and sold in Concord, and that there were 
quite a number owned in the parish. JNIany traditions have come down 
in reference to these son.s of Ethiopia, exhibiting the peculiar charac- 
teristics of the race thus far doomed to servitude. A few of the de- 
scendants of these slaves are still living in and about Concord. Bears 
and wolves were quite numerous, and very ti'oublesome to the early 
settlers; and, even as late as 1772, they roved around the wilderness in 
the vicinity of Concord, satisfying their appetites with the young pigs, 
sheep, and the poultry of the inhabitants. Crows, too, abounded, and 
for their destraction, and that of the wolves, a bounty w-as offered by 
the town. Many amusing encounters with " Bruin " are related, in which 
the inhabitants exhibited great daring ; " Bruin " sometimes got the best 
of the fight, but was generally worsted in the end. In 1774, there were 
two companies of militia in Concord, belonging to the fifteenth regiment 
— Joshua Abbot being captain of one, and Abiel Chandler of the other. 

At the period of the American Revolution, 1775, Concord con- 
tained 1,052 inhabitants, who early manifested their hatred of British 
tyranny. As soon as news of the Lexington fight was received, Cap- 
tain Abiel Chandler raised a volunteer company of thirty-six men and 
marched to Cambridge, where they remained a fortnight; and in the 
regiment commanded by Colonel John Stark were three companies 
from Concord and neighboring towns, commanded by Captain Gordon 
Hutchins, Captain Joshua Abbot, and Captain Aaron Kinsman, all of 
whom shared in the glory of the battle of Bunker Hill. To the provin- 
cial " congress," held at Exeter, Timothy Walker, Jr. was chosen as 
representative. May 11th, and again December 5th. The inhabitants 
were entirely unanimous in the good cause ; for, out of the one hun- 



NEW HAMPSHIRE CITY OF CONCORD. 453 

drcd and fifty-six inhabitants cajiable of bearing arms in March, 177(i, 
not one of them was returned to congress as favoring the cause of tlie 
mother country. The following year, however, several were suspected 
of " disafl'ection," and they were immediately advertised as " Enemies 
to the United States of America," while sevei-al of them were confined 
in jail at Exeter, but were afterwards released, on condition of talcing 
the oath of allegiance, which was done by all except John Stevens. A 
company was raised for the relief of Ticonderoga; but news having 
arrived of the evacuation of that place, the company was disbanded. 
Probably no greater evidence need be cited of the entire unanimity of a 
]X'ople in a good cause, than that exhibited by the citizens of Concord 
when called on to enter the regiment of General Stark for the purpose 
of cutting ort' Burgoyne, whicli resulted in the battle of Bennington. 
The highest enthusiasm prevailed.^ Colonel Hutchins, hearing that it 
was decided to raise volunteers for the general, mounted his horse, and 
rode posthaste for Concord, arriving on Sunday afternoon before the 
close of public service. He dismounted at the door of the meeting- 
house, and walked up the aisle of the chm-ch while Mr. Walker was 
preaching his sermon. The reverend gentleman paused, asking if 
Colonel Hutchins was the bearer of any message ? " Yes," replied the 
colonel; " General Burgoyne, with his army, is on liis march to Albany. 
General Stark has offered to take the command of New Hampshire 
men; and, if wc all turn ovit, we can cut off Burgoyne's march." — " My 
hearers," said Mr. Walker, " those of you who are willing to go, better 
leave at once." All the men inniiediately went out, and many of tiiem 
enlisted on the spot. All night was devoted to preparation, and a 
company was ready to march next morning. Two of the citizens^ 
pleaded the want of shoes as a reason why they could not go ; but these 
were made before morning by Samuel Thompson, a shoemaker. 
Twenty-eight men from Concord were engaged in the battle of Ben- 
nington, and Colonel Stickney particularly distinguished himself, and 
was mentioned by General Stark in his despatches. Another company 
from Concord, under Colonel Gordon Hutchins, marched to the scene of 
conflict, but arrived too late to engage in the battle. Another company, 
under Captain Joshua Abbot, marched from Concord to join the army 
at Saratoga, in September, 1777. In fact, the inhabitants of Concord 

' John Langdon, in the ardor of his patriotism, said : " I have £3,000 in monc\', and 
fifty hogsheads of rum, and I will pawn my house and plate for all they are worth, if 
General Stark will take eommand of the New Hampshire troops to cut oft' Burgoyne" — 
adding, " If wo gain our imlependenee, I shall be repaid; if not, it matters not what will 
become of my property." — lUntdnj of Concord, by Rev. Nathaniel Bouton, D. D., p. 274. 

^ Phineas Virgin, and Jonathan Eastman, Sen. 



454 HISTORY AND DK.SI-RIPTIOX OF NEW EXCLAXD. 

])artifipair(l in all tho daiiijcrs, sufTcriiigs, and gl<iry, inoidrnt to ilic 
war: f^omo were with Washiiigton at \'alley Forge; some .'-iian-d in iiis 
victories at Princeton and Trenton; and some were at the scene of 
blood in Wyoming. 

Concord was the place of meeting for thi' convention which formed 
the state constitution, in 17S:3. In what was called the '• Oxford war" 
(the threatened rupture with France), and in the war of 1812, Concord 
again exhibited her patriotism, entering readily into the recjuirenients 
of those occasions. 

From 1785 to the )Deriod of the adoption of the city charter in March, 
1853, the history of Concord has been one of uninterrupted progression. 
From a '-plantation" in the wilderness, she has sprung up into a large 
and thriving city, divided into se\en wards, and having a population, at 
the last census, of nearly nine thousand, which has now considerably 
increased. In 1805, it l)ecame the permanent seat of the New Hamp- 
shire government ; and, in lS'2'-i, the county seat of JNIerrimack. 

Conct)rd has been the residence of many individuals, distinguished in 
literature, politics, theology, and the arts, to whom a passing allusion 
may not be inappropriate. Among them may be mentioned. Rev. Tim- 
othy Walker, tlie first minister, who died September 1, 1782; Hon. 
Timothy Walker, his son, born in Concord in 17o7, died May 5, 18-22; 
Benjamin Rolfe, who died March 20,1772; Dr. Ezra Carter, the first, 
[ihysician, who ilied September 17, 1767; Dr. Philip Carrigain, who 
died in 1806; lion. Tiioinas W. Thompson, who died October 1, 1821: 
the celebrated Benjamin Thompson (better known as Count Rutnford), 
who resided in Concord for a number of years prior to the Revolution, 
and Sarah, Countess of Ruinford, his daughter, who died here in 1852. 
(Tovernor Isaac Hill, who died in 1851, was also a resident; as was also 
John Farmer (distinguished as an anticjuarian and historian), wlio died 
in 1838 ; Jonathan Eastman, Sen., was born here June 10, 1746, and died 
October 19, 1834; Colonel William A. Kent, who died in 1840, was 
father of ex-governor Kent of Maine; and Nathaniel H. Carter, distin- 
guished as a poet and for other literary attainiuents, was born at Con- 
cord in 1787, and died in France, January 2, 1830. Ex-president Pierce 
was, for a nimiber of years prior to his election as chief magistrate of the 
republic, a prominent citizen of Concord. Many more might be men- 
tioned, and much might be written of the lives of those already 
enumerated. 

Concord is pleasantly situated on both sides of the Merrimack river, 
and comprises 40,919 acres, of which about 1,800 are water. It is 
situated near the centre of the state from east to west, about fifty miles 
from the Atlantic coast, and the same distance from the Connecticut 



NEW HAMPSHIRE CITY OF CONCOKU. 455 

river. The land is generally good, eoiisisting of interval, upland, and 
|)lain. The interval is distinguislu'd for its extent, beauty, and fertility, 
yielding bountiful crops of corn, grass, oats, potatoes, and sometimes 
wheat. The uplands are somewhat diverse in quality, being also 
uneven, rough, and hilly. They are, however, as a general thing, ])r()- 
ductive, forming excellent farms and good pastures. The plains are 
less productive. An inexhaustible supply of granite exists here, large 
quantities of which are annually quarried, and used for building pur- 
poses in Concord, Boston, and other parts of our country. Iron ore has 
also been found, and excellent clay kn making bricks. The principal 
river is the Merrimack, which flows through tiie whole length of the 
township from north to south, dividing it near the centre. Above 
Sewall's island is a considerable fall, but no available water-power until 
it reaches Turkey and C4arvinV falls. The river is subject to freshets ; 
and sometimes, during heavy rains and sudden meltings of snow, the 
whole adjacent interval is covered with water as far as the eye can 
reach. The Contoocook river passes through the northwest corner, upon 
which is a fertile section of Concord, atfording fine mill privileges for 
more than a mile in its course. The Soucook river constitutes the 
boundary line between Concord and Pembroke, — is very crooked and 
ra])id, atibrds many mill privileges, and has seven bridges across it. 
There are seven ponds — Turkey, Horse-shoe, Long, Little Turtle, 
Snow, and Hot-hole, the largest of which are Long and Turkey, the 
former covering two hundred and sixty-five, and the latter one hundred 
and seventy, acres. Hot-hole pond is remarkal>le frt)m the fact that its 
bottom has never been reached. 

There are in Concord four villages. The Main village, — frequently 
called " The Slreet," from the fact that in early times the houses were 
all built on one street, nearly a mile antl a half long, — is the centriil 
|)lace for business, containing most of the public buililings, the principal 
stores for trade, and sho|5s fur almost every variety of mechanical pur- 
suit. There are here ten churches — Episcopal, Unitarian, Free-will 
Baptist, Christian, Methodist, Universalist, two Congregational, and two 
Baptist ; a post-office, and seven hotels, several of which are considered 
the largest and best kept in the state. A brief enumeration of the prin- 
cipal public buildings may here be given. The Methodist General and 
Biblical Institute was incorporated in 1847, and occupies the old " North 
Church," which was fitted itp in 1846, by the liberality of the citizens, 
and conveyed to the trustees of the institute for purposes of instruc- 
tion. In 1854, there were sixty-eiglit stitdents. The old town-hall and 
court-house was erected in 1792, and enlarged in 1823. This ancient 
edifice, together with the county building, built in 1844, of brick, lias 



456 HISTORY AXD DESCRIPTION OF XEW EXGLAXD. 

given place to tlip new city hall, fini.shcd in 1S56, at a cost of about 
!§60,000. This splcnilid edifice was built at the joint expense of 
the city and county. On the lower floor are a spacious city hall, and 
rooms for city ottices. In the second stoiy, a court room, rooms for 
county offices, and for a city library. Surmounting the building is a 
magnilicent dome, which furnishes an extensive view of the city and 
adjacent country. — The state prison is situated near the north end of 
Main street, and was first built in 1811-12, but has since been greatly 
enlarged and improved. The prison consists of four buildings, which, 
with the yard, cover an area of two acres, surrounded by a granite wall. 
In 1854, there were 105 convicts in prison, who were engaged in bed- 
stead-making, cabinet work, and the manufacture of shoes. — The 
county jail is located near the junction of Pleasant and Washington 
streets, and is a beautiful edifice, built of brick, in 1852, at a cost of 
$11,000. — The state house, commenced in 1816 and completed in 1819, 
(^xtends from Main street to State street, its grounds being beautifully 
ornamented with shade-trees. The centre of the building is fifty feet 
front by fifty-seven in depth ; the wings are each thirty-eight feet in 
front by forty-nine in depth ; the whole making a parallelogram of 126 
feet in length by forty-nine in width, with the addition of a projection in 
the centre of each front of four feet. The exterior walls are of hammered 
gi-anite ; the lot on which it stands being inclosed on two sides with a 
solid wall of hammered stone five feet in height, while the front fences 
and gates are of cast-iron, with stone posts and sills. The expense of 
the structure, complete, was .'i?82,000. The chamber for the representa- 
tives is adorned with an arched ceiling rising thirty feet from the floor. 
The senate chamber is eighteen feet in height. The building also con- 
tains the council chamber, oflnces for the secretary and treasurer, the adju- 
tant and attorney-generals, with a spacious room occupied as the state- 
liljiary. — The New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane is beautifully sit- 
uat(>d on an eminence on Pleasant street, half a mile from the state 
house. It has been enlarged and improved since its erection in 1841, and 
is now capable of accommodating 225 patients. It is a noble edifice, an 
ornament to the city and an honor to the state. The whole number of 
patients admitted from its opening in 1842 to June 1, 1857, was 1,476. — 
Another building worthy of mention is the railroad passenger depot, 
near tlie centre of Main street, having in the second story a large and 
spacious hall, and excellent accommodations for oflices. It was erected 
in 1849. Contiguous to it is an extensive freight depot, and all the nec- 
essary buildings for engines and cars, and for machine and repair shops. 
The following railroads centre at this depot: the Concord Railroad, the 
Northern Railroad, the Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad, the 



NEW IIAMr.SUIRE CITY OF CONCORD. 4-57 

Concord and Claremoiit Railroad, and the Portsmouth and I'oufoid 
Railroad. 

About three miles from the state house lies the West, or West Par- 
ish, Village, a thriving place, having a station of the Concmil and 
Claremont Railroad, a Congregational meeting-house, two school-houses, 
and a post-office. Flannels and blankets are manufactured here to a 
considerable extent ; and, near the village, is the town-farm and poor- 
house. In the East Village, on the east side'of Merrimack river, about 
two miles from the state house, are a Congregational meeting-house, 
two school-houses, a post-office, two stores, and a station of the Boston, 
Concord, and Montreal Railroad. 

Fisherville is situated ehiefiy in Concord, and is about six miles 
north from the main village. It is built on both sides of the Contoo- 
cook river, near its junction with the Merrimack, and derives its name 
from the Messrs. Fisher of Boston, who are proprietors of the larger 
jKirtion of the water-power. The Contoocook and Penacook mills, for the 
manufacture of cotton cloth, are situated in this village, the fofnier 
having been erected in 1836, and the latter in 184(3. The former is live 
stories high, ninety-six feet long, and forty-two wide; the latter" is three 
stories high, and, including the two wheel-houses, 370 feet in length. 
On the north side of the river is another mill, erected in 1847 by Deacon 
Almon Harris, which is three stories high, seventy-five feet long, and forty 
wide ; it manufactures principally woollen goods. The village is thrifty 
and growing, having, in 1840, but a population of one hundred, which 
has increased to about two thousand. There are here small factories 
and machine-shops of various kinds, a post-office, two large scliool- 
houses, as also a Baptist, Congregational, Methodist, and Universalist 
society, with suitable edifices and halls for worship. 

Concord has four banks — Merrimack County, capital, 880,000; Me- 
chanics, $100,000; State Capital, !§150,000 ; Union, $100,000: two 
savings institutions — New Hampshire and Concord; three tire in- 
surance companies — Ecpiitable Mutual, Union Mutual, and Men-i- 
mack County Mutual, several other companies having been engaged 
in operations until a recent period; five newspapers ^ — New Hamp- 
shire Patriot, New Hampshire Statesman, Congregational Journal, Inde- 
pendent Democrat, and Democratic Standard. Several other papers have 
been established, but are not now in existence. Printing is one of the 

' The first ncwspapor appoarcil .Tanuarv C. 1790. and was calleil tlic Coni'nnl Hri-al.l 
ami Xuw Hampshire Intelligeneer. It was iiriuted on a sheet fimrd eii liy nine iiiclies, 
anil had for its motto, '■ The press is the cradle of science, the nurse of genius, and tho 
shield of libert}-." 

VOL. I. 39 



4-58 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW EXGLAND. 

most extensive hraiiehes of liusiness in Concord. The manufacture of 
carriages, boots antl slH)es, and musical instruments, is carried on very 
extensively; and in the former, Concord is said to be unrivall(>d. Then' 
are twenty-two school tlistricts, and five post-offices — Concord, West 
Concord, Mast Yard, East Concord, and Fisherville. Population in 
18-50, 8,084; present population, about 11,500; valuation, 64,176,369. 

Coxw.w, Carroll county, anciently called Pequawket, is bounded on 
the east i)y Fryeburg, Maine, and is seventy-two miles from Concord. 
It is very pleasantly situated on both sides of the Saco river. Daniel 
Foster received a grant of this town in the year 1765, the grantees 
agreeing to pay, for ten years, one ear of Indian corn annually. In the 
year 1764, the first settlers — James and Benjamin Osgood, John Do- 
lotf, and Ebenezer Burbank — caine in, building tiieir cabins on the inter- 
vals along the banks of the Saco, a rather hazardous position, on account 
of the sudden rises of that river, which fact was fully exemplified in 
the year 1800, when the " great freshet " took place, which swept houses 
and barns away in its course. The settlers came principally from Dur- 
ham and Lee, the glowing accounts of the richness of the soil, the plen- 
tifulness of game, and the abundance of fish and fowl, being the prin- 
cipal inducements for removing to this "land of promise." This was 
formerly the site of an Indian settlement ; and it was with envious eyes 
that the savages beheld the inroads of the white man upon their favorite 
haunts. 

The soil of Conway is jilaiii, u]iland, and interval, — the larger portion 
being of the lafter, — tracts of which extend through its entire length, 
from fifty to two inmdred rods wide, the surface having been formerly 
covered with ^\hite pine and rock maple. With perseverance, some 
portions yield good crops ; but the greater part is not easy of cultiva- 
ti(jn. Situated on the northeastern side of the Saco river are three con- 
siderable elevations, known as Pine, Rattlesnake, and Green Hills. 
Swift and Pecpiawket rivers discharge themselves into the Saco in this 
town. The largest collections of water are Walker's and Pequawket 
j)onds, the latter being 360 rods in circumference; there is also a spring 
strongly impregnated with sulphur. 

The scenery in Conway is probably the grandest and most pictur- 
esipte ol any in New England, and has received the highest encomi- 
ums from the pens of travellers. A writer says: "One who visits 
the Conway meadows sees the original of half the pictures that have 
been shown in our art-rooms the last two years. All our lan(l>capc 
jxiinters must try their hands at that perfect gem of New England 
scenery. One feels, in standing on that green plain, with the music of 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF CONWAY. 459 

the Saco in his ofivs, heminfcl in by the broken lines of its guardian 
ridges, and looiung up to the distant summit of Mount Wasliington, 
That he is not in any county of New Hampshire, not in any namable 
latitude of this rugged earth, but in the world of pure beauty — the 
adytum of the temple, where God is to be worshipped as the inlinite 
Artist, in joy." Willey, in his " Incidents in White Mountain Scenery," 
savs : " The mountains in Conway, and those on her borders, are 
among the most important things pertaining to her location. To appre- 
ciate this fully, you have but to take a position somewhere on the main 
road about three miles south of Bartlett, standing with your face to the 
north. On your right will stretch up a line of mountains, from Rattle- 
snake mountain, situated about southeast, to Pequawket or Kearsarge, 
on the northeast. Sweeping round from this, you pass over Thorn and 
Double-head and Black mountains till you come at length to the long 
range of the Motes, that separate Conway from Up]3er Bartlett. From 
this point you follow them down on your left till you come to their ter- 
minus, at a point in the heavens about southwest from where you stand. 
It is a grand post of observation to occupy at any time of the year ; but, 
keep it through the season, and you get a view of scenes which, for 
majesty and beauty, can scarcely anywhere else be obtained. In winter 
you will see a parapet of mountains around you, shorn indeed of their 
summer attractions, but stiU commanding your attention from the naked 
and unadorned sublimity of their appearance. Peqnawket will rise up 
Ix'fore you, like an old sentinel who has stood his post for centuries, 
amidst the many lightnings and storms that have beat his defenceless 
liead." This mountain is ascended from North Conway. On the western 
l)ank of the Saco, opposite this place, are two very high ledges. The 
most northerly, sometimes called " Hart's Looking-glass," rises, nearly 
perpendicular, G50 feet. The other, called White Horse Ledge, from 
presenting the illusion of a white horse dashing up its steep, is 9o0 
feet high. 

Of late years, Conway has become a very fashionable resort during 
the summer months, and the hotels and farmers' houses are crowded 
with visitors till the middle of September. The air is fine and salubri- 
ous, the mountain streams abound with trout, and some of the ponds 
with pickerel; so that altogether the advantages for health and recrea- 
tion are abundant, and of the best kind. The town contains four vil- 
lages — North Conway, Kearsarge, Chatauque, and Centre Conway ; 
four church edifices — two Congregational, one Baptist, and one Union: 
twenty school districts, an academy, and a seminary; and three post- 
olfices — Conway, North Conway, and Conway Centre: also, thirteen 
stores, two carriage factories, two flouring mills, three grist-mills, one 



460 HISTORY AXD DESCIUPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

paper mill, a Inrg-e tannery, and several mills for the maniifai-ture of 
clapboards and shingles. Population, 1,767; valuation, §4:26,46??. 

Coos County, in the northern part of the state, bounded on the west 
by the Connecticut river, has an area of about 1,950 square miles. It 
was created by act of the legislature, December 24, 1803, in which it is 
thus described : " Coos county shall contain all the lands and waters 
situated northerly of the line hereinafter mentioned and described 
within this state, which line is considered as beginning on the westerly 
bank of Connecticut river, at the southwesterly corner of Dalton, and 
running on the westerly and southerly line of Dalton to Whitelield ; 
thence on the westerly and southerly line of Whitefield to Brctton 
woods (Carroll); thence on the westerly and southerly line ofBretton 
woods to the southeasterly corner thereof; thence southerly on a straight 
line across the unlocated lands to the hne of the county of Strafford, at 
the northwesterly corner of Tamworth ; thence on the line of the county 
of Strafford to the line of the district of Maine." It contains twenty- 
five towns, Lancaster being the shire town. Since 1840, t\vo towns 
and one plantation have been taken from it and given to Carroll. 

Coos is, in extent of territory, the largest county in the state, and has 
most of the ungranted lands within its boundaries. Owing to the ex- 
ceedingly mountainous character of the country, much of the land must 
ever remain unsettled. Along the banks of the Connecticut and other 
streams, there are large tracts of interval, which are very fertile. In the 
south part of the county are situated the principal elevations of the 
White Mountain range, other summits of the same range showing their 
isolated heads in various parts. The Connecticut, Aiidroscoggin, and 
Saco rivers have their origin in this county ; besides which there are a 
variety of other streams of lesser magnitude, among which may be 
mentioned the Mohawk, Ammonoosue, Israel's, and John's rivers. 
Part of the Umbagog lake lies in the county. The Atlantic and St. 
Lawrence Railroad passes through the south part of Coos. The name 
is of Indian origin, and signifies " pines," with which the county is 
much covered. 

Coos county belongs to the fifth judicial district. A law term of the 
supreme judicial court is held annually at Lancaster on the third 
Tuesday of July : and two terms each for this court and the common 
pleas are held animallv. both commencing on the first Tuesdays of 
May and November. Population, 11,853; valuation, $3,326,774. 

Cornish, Sullivan county, is sitiiated on Connecticut river, in the 
western part of the state, and is fifty miles from Concord. Rev. Samuel 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF CROYDOX. 461 

McClintock of Greenfield, and sixty-nine otiievs, received tiie grant of 
tills territory, June 21, 1763, and settlements were commenced by emi- 
grants chiefly from Sutton, Mass., in 1765, the family of Moses Chase 
being the first in town. A camp, for many years known as the " Mast 
Camp," was found erected when the first settlers came in. It had been 
used by a company employed in procuring spars for the royal navy ; 
i)ut was occupied by a Mr. Dyke and his family when the settlers 
arrived. Daniel Putnam, afterwards a respectable inhabitant of the- 
town, resided here the year previous. Cornish was one of the sixteen 
towns which seceded from New Hampshire and joined Vermont in 
1778; and it was here that a convention of delegates from several towns 
on both sides of the river assembled December 9, 1778, and made pro- 
posals to New Hampshire regarding the settlement of a dividing line. 
Salmon P. Chase, governor of Ohio, Rt. Rev. Philander Chase, bishop 
of the Episcopal Church in that State, and Hon. Dudley Chase, who 
was one of the eminent men in Vermont, were natives of Cornish. 

The surface of Cornish is hilly, with the exception of that part lying 
on the river ; but the soil is generally fertile and productive in the sev- 
eral varieties of grain and vegetables peculiar to this latitude. Farming 
is the principal occupation, and the inhabitants are in good circum- 
stances. Connecticut river waters the western part, and, by means of a 
bridge, connects Cornish with Windsor, Vt. Blow-me-do\vn and Bri- 
aiit's brooks are the only streams of magnitude, and afibrd a few good 
mill privileges. On the latter stream, silver ore has been discovered ; 
and spruce-yellow paint has been found in considerable quantities on 
the bottom and along the margin of the brook. Cornish has one village, 
called the Flats : four church edifices — Congregational, Baptist, Meth- 
odist, and Episcopal ; sixteen school districts, and two post-otfices — 
Cornish and Cornish Flats: also, two grist-mills, five saw-mills, one 
tannery, and two carriage manufactories. Population, 1,606 ; valuation, 
$587,748. 

Croydon, Sullivan county, is situated on the highlands between the 
Connecticut and Merrimack rivers, and is forty-four miles from Concord, 
in a northwesterly direction. It was incorporated May 81, 1763, and 
was granted to Samuel Chase, and sixty-four others, under the usual 
conditions. The settlement was commenced, in 1766, by Moses Whi))- 
|ile, Seth Chase, David Warren, Ezekiel Powers, and perhaps some 
otiiers, from Grafton, Mass. Seth Chase's family was the first here. 
Privations and hardships were endured by the first settlers, but Indian 
depredations were unknown ; in fact, it is believed that no permanent 
Indian settlement was ever made here, as no vestiges of their habita- 
39 * 



4G2 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

tions liave been discovered. Some stone utensils, sucli as chiteis, 
gouges, and tomahawks, have come to light, which give evidence that 
at least they visited the vicinity. The inhabitants of Croydon lent their 
aid to the struggle which resulted in the independence of the American 
colonies, and many of them took an active part in the battles incidental 
to the contest, remaining in active service till the surrender of Burgoyne. 
The shape of this town was originally square, but additions from 
it in 1808 and 1809, in the one case to the territory of Grantham, and 
in the other to that of Cornish, have somewhat altered its form anil 
lessened its dimensions. The surface is hilly and uneven, and is, in 
many cases, covered with huge masses of granite. The soil, with the 
exception of the alluvial lands near Sugar river, is generally hard and 
unproductive. Croydon mountain, the highest land in Sullivan county, 
extends across the western part. Pine hill, taking its name from its 
having been covered with pine timber, lies in the eastern part. Tin- 
town is watered by the north branch of Sugar river, and by a numljcr of 
ponds, the principal of which are Long, Rocky-bound, Governor's, and 
Spectacle. The inhabitants are generally engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits, and in the raising of cattle. There are three churches — Congrega- 
tionalist, Methodist, and Universalist ; ten school districts, and two post- 
ofBces — Croydon and Croydon Flat : also, one small woollen factory, 
two gi-ist-mills, one starch factory, two cabinet shops, one wheelwrigiir 
siiop, and two stores. Population, 861 ; valuation, §276.20o. 

D ALTON, in the western part of Coos county, on the easterly side of 
Connecticut river, contains 16,455 acres, and is 110 miles north of 
Concord. Moses Blake and Walter Bloss first settled Dalton, and, 
with their families, were for a length of time the only inhabitants. 
Cotlin Moore was also an early settler. The act of incorporation of 
Dalton was passed November 4, 1784, the name having been given in 
honor of Hon. Tristram Dalton, a grantee. The Fifteen Mile Falls in 
Connecticut river commence here, and flow tumultuously along the 
northwestern border. Water is supplied by John's river and several 
large brooks. Blake's pond is the only one in the town. Some of 
<he land is even, while that in the western and southern parts is broken, 
I he soil generally being deep and fertile. It was originally covered with 
a heavy growth of maple, beech, birch, and ash. Along the shores of 
John's river the white pine is abundant. 

Dalton has one village, called Summervillc ; one church edifice — 
Methodist ; eight school districts, and one post-office : also, two stores 
and three saw-mills. The White Mountain Railroad passes through the 
eastern part of the town. Population, 751 ; valuation, $178,583. 



NEW UAMPSIIIRE — TOWN OP DANBURY, ETC. A(V.^ 

Danbitky, in the southeastern part of CTrafton county, having the 
Northern Railroad passing tlirough near its centre, is thirty miles from 
Concord, and contains nineteen thousand acres. Tiie first settlers 
commenced operations about November, 1771, in the eastern ])art, and 
gradually extended over the whole tract of territory. It was incorpo- 
rated June 18, 1795. The face of the town is mostly liilly, with a con- 
siderable eminence in the northeast part. Smith's river waters tlie 
eastern section, where there is some good interval. The raising of 
cattle and sheep engages a large part of the attention of the iniuibi- 
tants. There are a Congregational, a Methodist, and a Baptist so- 
ciety; ten school districts, with a high school; and two post-offices — 
Danbury and South Danbmy : also, seven saw-mills, two shingle, lath 
and clapboard mills, three stores, and one tannery. Population, i)o4 ; 
valuation, 8~'53,253. 

Danville, in the centre of Rockingham county, was first settled 
between the years 175-5 and 1739. The names of Jonathan Sanborn 
and Jacob Hook are found among those that lived here at that time. 
The tow^n was formerly a part of Kingston, which it adjoins on tlie 
east. It was incorporated February 22, 1760, receiving the name of 
Hawke, said to have been given in honor of a gentleman somewhat 
distinguished in the mother country, which was changed to that of Dan- 
ville, agreeably to a request of the citizens, by the legislature, in June, 
1836. During the Revolutionary war, the people engaged with ardor 
in the general conflict for the "inalienable rights "of man. Several 
became soldiers in the army. At one time, there were two vacancies in 
the board of selectmen, they having enlisted in the service. Dr. Thomas 
Stowe Ranney was, in 1774, chosen to sit in a convention at Exeter 
for the purpose of choosing delegates to the general congress, which was 
to be holden at Philadelphia in September of that year. It was agreed 
also to pay the proportion of the expense of the said delegate at 
congress. This was raised at the meeting by subscription, the sum 
being thirty-five shillings lawful money. At a meeting, held in January, 
1775, the following resolution was passed: " That the most grateful 
acknowledgments are due to the truly honorable, patriotic members of 
the late continental congress, for their assiduity in so nobly defending 
and supporting the right of America against the wicked machinations 
of an abandoned ministry to enslave us and our posterity. We are so 
far from subscribing to the authority of parliament to abridge us of our 
privileges, that, if death must be our portion in the defence of them, we 
are ready to sacrifice our lives for liberty." It appears that this town 
was classed with Sandown in the choice of a representative in 1776, 



464 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

and ihoy liavc evor since been thus united. Tiie meeting was holden 
at Hawke, Juno 26, and Moses Colby was chosen to represent ilie iwo 
parishes in the general assembly of the colony. 

The land in Danville is rather broken, and hard to cultivate. But 
considerable attention has been given to improvements la agriculture, 
and the industrious farmers generally obtain good crops. In tiie north- 
erly part, there is a large sweU of the best kind of land. It is elevated, 
and the view of the sttrrounding scenery for many miles is exceedingly 
interesting. 

The first church — Congregational — was organized quite early, but 
the precise date is unknown. The Rev. John Page was settled over it, 
December 21, 1763, and continued the pastor until his death, January 
29, 1783. The Baptists, Free-will Baptists, and Methodists had preach- 
ing at intervals from an early period, until, in 1841, their efforts were 
merged into a Union organization. There are therefore two churi-h 
edifices — Congregational and Union ; four school districts, and one 
post-ofhce : also, three saw-mills, one shingle mill, and one box mill. 
Population, 614 ; valuation, §200,484. 

Deerfield, in the northern part of Rockingham county, eighteen 
miles from Concord, contains 28,2o4 acres, and was formerly a part of 
Nottingham, having been incorporated January 8, 1766. The name 
originated probably from the great number of deer found in the vicinity. 
While the petition for incorporation was before the legislature, a 
Mr. Batchelder killed a deer and presented it to Governor Wentworth, 
who in return delivered to him the town charter with its present name. 
Settlements were commenced, in 1756 and 1758, by John Robertson, 
Jacob Smith, Isaac Shepard, Benjamin Batchelder, Benjamin Butler, 
Joseph Mills, Andrew Freese, Daniel Page, Samuel Perkins, Thomas 
Jenness, Jeremiah Eastman, Nathaniel Weare, John James, and David 
Haynes. The prevalence of the Indian wars obliged the settlers to 
make their homes in garrisons ; but, happily, no serious depredations 
were committed by the savages. Eighteen persons from this town 
lost their lives in the Revolutionary war. Hon. Richard Jenness and 
Colonel Joseph Mills were distinguished residents. The former was 
a representative, magistrate, and judge of the common pleas, and ditil 
July 4, 1819, aged seventy-three ; the latter was an officer in the Rexo- 
lutionary war, sitbsequently a magistrate and representative, and died 
June, 1809, aged sixty. 

Deerfield has an uneven surface and a fertile soil, though requirini,' 
some exertion to cultivate. The principal eminences are the Pawtu<k- 
away, between Deerfield and Nottingham, the highest elevation ot 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF DEERING. 4(15 

which is 892 feet ; the Saddleback, between Deerfield and Northwood, 
1,072 feet higli, and Fort mountain on the west. The south anil south- 
east part is watered by one of the branches of Lamprey river. Pleasant 
pond, a beautiful, clear body of water, lies partly here; and Siiingle 
pond, possessing fish of various kinds, lies in the soiathwest part. 
In the west part is a remarkable body of water, called Moulton's 
pond, having no visible inlet, and the bottom of which has never been 
reached. It is supposed to be supplied by a subten-aneous passage, 
there being always about the same amount of Avater in it. It has two 
ontlets, one running north into Suncook river, and the other into Lam- 
prey river. A cave, called the " Indian Camp," with irregular sides, 
and having its top surmounted by a sheet of granite projecting about 
fourteen feet, lies in the west part of the town, on the southerly side of 
Nottingham mountain. On the east side of this curious freak of 
nature is a flight of steps, or stones resembling steps, by which persons 
may readily ascend to the summit of the rock. Iron ore, terra sienna, 
plumbago, and other minerals, are found here. For some time, reports 
or explosions, which are apparently subterraneous and of a volcanic or 
gaseous nature, have been prevalent in Deerfield. They are more 
frequent in the fall than at any other season of the year. 

Deerfield has three small villages — Deerfield Parade, Deerfield 
Centre, and South Deerfield; three church edifices — Congregational, 
Baptist, and Free-will Baptist; fourteen school districts, and a high 
school; and three post-offices — Deerfield, Deerfield Centre, and South 
Deerfield: also, two large shoe manufactories, five saw-mills, live 
shingle, clapboard, and lath mills, four grist-mills, four carding machines, 
and ten stores. Population, 2,022 ; valuation, §619,922. 

Deering, in the northern part of Hillsborough county, is twenty-three 
miles from Concord, and contains 20,057 acres. It was incorporated 
January 17, 1774, receiving its name in honor of the wife of (4overnor 
John Wentworth — Frances Deering Wentworth, of Portsmouth. About 
the year 1765 the first permanent settlement was commenced. Alex- 
ander Robinson, William M'Kean, William Forsaith, Thomas Aiken, 
William Aiken, Francis Grimes, and others, from Amherst, Chester, 
Londonderry, and Newbury, were the earliest inhabitants. The first 
religious society formed was the Congregational, in December, 1789. 
The surface abounds in hills and valleys, well suited to agricultural 
purposes. There are four ]ionds, called Dudley's, Gregg's, Chase's, and 
iMud, the largest of which is situated near the centre of the town. 
being one hundred and eighty rods long and sixty-five wide. Contou- 
cook river lies on the west, and a branch of Piscataquog river enters on 



466 mSTOKY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

the east. Plumbago lias been found in the north part of the town. 
There are two cliurch edifices — one occupied by the Congregation- 
alists, and the other by the Baptists and Methodists ; ten school 
districts, with a high school ; and one post-office : also, two saw-mills, 
one clothing mill, one grist-mill, and two stores. Population, 890 : 
valuation, $404,814. 

Derry, in the western part of Rockingliam countv, adjoins Lonilon- 
derry, of which it comjjosed a part until 18:38, when it was incorporated. 
All that is valuable in point of history will be found embodied in the 
article on Londonderry. Derry contains 22,600 acres of excellent farm- 
ing land, the surface in the eastern part being undulating. Here there 
are some valuable farms, as well as good timber lands. Apples are pro- 
duced in abundance, and most of the orchai'ds are composed of grafted 
trees. There are four natural ponds, caUed Beaver, Upper Shields, 
Lower Shields, and Island, part of the latter lying in Hampstead and 
Atkinson. Beaver brook is the most considerable stream in Derry, and 
issues from Beaver pond, emptying into the Merrimack at Dracur. 
There are three villages — Derry, East Derry, and Depot Village ; three 
churches — Presbyterian, Congregational, and Methodist ; two acade- 
mies — Pinkerton Academy, and Adams Female Academy, the former 
having a fund of 816.000, and the latter 84,000 ; twelve school districts, 
one bank (capital 860,000), one post-otHce, and three saw-mills. The 
Manchester and Lawrence Railroad passes through this town. Popu- 
lation, 1,850 ; valuation, §708,240. 

DixviLLE is a wild, uneven, unincorporated township in the eastern 
part of Colis county, which was granted in 1805 and 1810 to Colonel 
Timothy Dix, Jr., of Boscawen. It had twelve inhabitants in 1810, one 
of whom was the proprietor ; and in 1820 this not extraordinarily large 
population dwindled down to the meagre number of two. There arc 
31,023 acres in the township, some of which is suitable for agriculturr. 
thougti the major part is a sterile, rocky, inhospitable region, covereil 
with thick woods. Numerous streams of water from the surrounding 
hciglits course through the town. The Dixville Notch, a considerable 
gap in the mountains, walled on each side by immense and almost ))er- 
pendicular columns of mica slate, rises to a height of seven or eight hun- 
dred feet in sharply defined pinnacles, with here and there a straggling 
spruce or birch tree hanging to some knotty spur, or springing from 
some deep fissure, in defiance of the sliding avalanche and of almost 
utter sterility. The road winds through the Notch, and continues on 
some twenty miles throiTgh primitive scenery of the most romantic <har- 



NEW HAiMPSmUE TOWN OF DORCHESTER, ETC, 467 

acU'i- to tlio Umbagog lakes, and is the principal route of travel. 
The Flume, a chasm twenty feet deep and ten wide, caused by tiie 
decay of a large trap dyke, lies in the vicinity of tiie Notch, and is the 
channel through which flows a stream of water. Both these are curi- 
osities in nature ^\-hieli are worthy of inspection, being wild and grand 
in the extreme. This immense territory was occupied in 1850 by eight, 
iiiiiabitants — Robinson Crusoes in a small way. Valuation, $11,000. 

Dorchester, C4rafton county, lies among tiie highlands between tiie 
Connecticut and Merrimack rivers, fifty miles from Concord. The first 
two charters of this town were forfeited by the non-fulfilment of tiieir 
conditions. The third was granted May 1, 1772, to seventy-two persons, 
and the settlement began about the same time. Tlie first inhabitants 
were Benjamin Rice and Stephen Murch, from Hanover, originally from 
Connecticut. The settlement advanced slowly, and there are still large 
tracts of land uncleared. 

The south branch of Baker's river, a tributary of the Mascomy, and 
Rocky Branch, are the most noted streams. Ciiurch Island and Mc- 
Cutcher ponds, which form the head waters of tlie Rocky Branch ; and 
Little, Norris, and Smart's ponds, wiiich form tlie head-waters of the 
Mascomy river, lie partly in Dorchester. Smart's mountain, a portion 
of which is in this town, is a considerable elevation, its summit afford- 
ing a pleasing panorama of the adjacent country, the green hills of Ver- 
mont, and the circuitous route of the Connecticut. The soil is fertile, 
esjiecially in the intervals ; but the highlands are rocky and uneven. 
There are two church edifices • — Congregational and Baptist ; eleven 
school districts, and two post-offices — Dorchester and North Dorches- 
ter: also, eleven saw-inills, several clapboard and shingle mills, having a 
capital of $28,000. Charcoal is manufactured to a considerable extent. 
Poi)ulation, 711 ; valuation, $194,165. 

Dover, in the eastern part of Strafford county, is forty miles from 
Concord. On a spring day in 1623, a vessel, whose name is now lost, 
landed, upon the western shore of the Piscataqua, two parties sent out 
by the company of Laconia. One party, consisting of Edward ami 
William Hilton (brothers), with a few other persons, took possession of 
the beautiful neck of land lying between the Newichawannock and Bel- 
lamy rivers, some six miles up the Piscatacpia ; and, with the necessaries 
which they had brought with them, began the settlement, which, in 
1639, received the name of Dover; in 1640, that of Northain ; and, in 
1641, that of Dover again, which it has since borne. Possibly other set- 
tlers came over in the years immediately following 1623; but, in 1631, 



4r)*^ HISTORY AND DE.^CIUPTIOX OF NEW EXKLAXD. 

Urtc wove only three houses in all that part of the Piscataqua. In that 
year Captain Thomas Wigi^in was sent over by the patentees; in 1632 
he returned to England, and in 1633 he came back (under the auspices 
of a new company, of which Lords Say and Brook were prominent 
members), with "about thirty settlers," some of whom were "of good 
estates and some account for religion," and others of no particidar ac- 
count for either. These settlers, landing at Salem, from the ship James, 
October 10, 1633, proceeded immediately to Dover, and took up small 
lots upon Dover Neck, " where they intended to build a compact town." 
Captain Wiggin, by authority from the owners in England, distributed 
these lots, recorded the titles, transacted the company's business gener- 
ally, and " had the power of a governor hereabouts." In the same band 
came Rev. Wilham Leveridge, " an able and worthy Puritan minister." 
The inhabitants immediately erected a meeting-house; and, with the 
brewery, the tan pits, and other means of practical crafts which soon 
followed, Dover began its organized existence. 

In addition to the original purposes of the settlement (fishing), trade 
with the Indians and the manufacture of lumber soon followed. Both 
of these were mainly in connection with the settlement of Richard VVal- 
derne (whose descendants bear the name of Waldron), in 1640, or a 
little earlier, at the lower falls of the Cochccho, where the compact part 
of the present city of Dover stands. He built a saw-mill, and soon after 
a grist-mill; and, for half a century, his house was a frontier trading 
post. He himself became major, commander of the New Hampshire 
forces, counsellor, acting ])resident of the province, chief justice, repre- 
sentative, and speaker of the Massachusetts general court. 

From 1633 to 1641, Dover, although increasing in population, experi- 
enced a succession of troubles. The original settlers were Episcopalian ; 
those of 1633 Puritan. To these discordant elements was added the 
bad character of some men, who, forced to leave Massachusetts, ac- 
(piired inlluence in this loose society. The ill results soon appeared. 
Mr. Leveridge was forced to leave in 1635 for want of support. Rev. 
George Burdett, who succeeded him in 1637, was able, ambitious, uu- 
scru])ulons, and profligate ; but, before his character became known, he 
prevailed upon the people to make him governor; but, soon exposing 
himself, he fled to Agamenticus. In the ministry he was succeeded by 
Ilanscrd Knollcs, a good and pious man, notwithstanding some impru- 
ileuces; and by him the first church in Dover was organized, in De- 
cember, 1638. In civil office Burdett was followed by Captain John 
rnderhill, an old European soldier and a refugee from Massachusetts, 
having a strange mixture of enthusiasm, ability, and hypocrisy. Under- 
hill was deposed in 1640 for various crimes. Knolles was eclipsed by 



NEW IIAMPSIIIIIE CITY OF ROVER. 469 

llie superior talents of Thomas Larkham, an emigrant of 1639 or 1640, 
and forced to yield. The discordant elements now broke out into dis- 
graceful contests, ended at last by the union of Dover with Massachu- 
setts, October 9, 1641, whicli tlic Ix'ttur part of the people adopted as 
the only cure for their diltlculiies. It was gladly welcomed l)y the latter 
j)Ower, wiio, indeed, claimed a latent right to the territory by virtue 
of their own patent. The town was made part of old Norfolk countv, 
was represented in the general court, and was subject to the laws of 
Massachusetts until New Hampsliire, in 1679, was erected into a sepa- 
rate province. 

From 1641 to 1679, Dover had generally peace, ecclesiastically and 
civilly. The Massachusetts government bore lightly, and the clergymen 
were al)le and excellent men. The only jar in religious matters was 
that caused by the coming of Quakerism in 1662, and tin; barbarous 
.sentence upon women of ten lasiies ujiou the naked bacJi. Of course 
Quakerism flourished with greater vigor in Dover than in any other 
town in the province. In business the town increased, having a direct 
trade with the West Indies, exporting principally lumber. In popula- 
tion it gained rapidly for a time ; the tax-paying males increasing from 
fifty-four in 1648, to 142 in 16y9, and loo in 1668. It then experienced 
a check, falling to 146 in 1675, doubtless on account of the Indian wars. 
In territory, it embraced, in addition to its present limits, Durham, 
Madbury, Lee, Somersworth, Rollinsford, and jrart of Newington, — 
all of which were included in Dover in 1641, when its boundaries were 
defined for the first time, and all of which were settled before 1660. 
In civil affairs it enjoyed virtual self-government. The only disturb- 
ance was that caused by the royal commissioners in 1665, who en- 
deavored to find or create a public sentiment in opposition to the gov- 
ernment of Massachusetts Bay ; but, so far as Dover was concerned, 
entirely in vain. A greater cause of disturbance was the occasional 
efforts of the heirs of Mason to establish their proprietary claims, eftbrts 
which developed themselves more fully at a later period. 

During this period, some town votes are worthy of co))ying. One 
was that of the 27th of November, 1648, when " It is this [day] ordered 
at pubhque Town meeting that Richard Pinkame shall beate the 
drumme on Lord's days to give notice for the time of meeting." This 
method continued for several years. In 1665, it was " ordered that 
rnr. Petter Coffin shall be Impowered by this meitting to AGree with 
some workman to Build a Terrett upon the meitting house for to hantr 
the Bell wich wee have Bought of Capt. Walldern." In 1657, '• Charles 
Buckner chosen by voet A Scoellraaster for this town." Other school- 

VOL. I. 40 



470 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTIOX OF XEW ENGLAND. 

masters followed, among whom, early in the next centurv, was '' Master 
Sullefund" (Sullivan), ancestor of the eminent family of that name. 
In 1653 the second meeting-house was built, — whicii was '• forty foot 
longe, twenty-six foote wide, sixteen foote studd, with six windows, 
two doores fitt for such a house, with a tile covering, and to planck all 
the walls, with glass and nails for it." The third church was built in 
1714 (whose bell was liung on a school-house near by); the fourth in 
1758, whicli last was used until 1828. In 1658, the worth of provisions 
was declared to be as follows : beef 2id. per pound, pork id., wheat (is. 
per bushel, malt 6s., and pease 65. From 1679 to the close of the 
Indian wars, Dover suffered extremely. Population, it is true, largely 
increased during the latter part of the period : thus the nvtmbcr of polls 
in 1675 was 131, and in 1727, 466, (Newington in both cases being 
excluded). Nor did any ecclesiastical trovibles occur, beyond the efforts 
of the present town of Durham to obtain separate authority, in which 
they succeeded in 1716 ; and the question, whether the proper site for 
a place of worship was not at Cochecho, instead of Dover Neck, which 
question was settled in 1711, by having the meetings alternate, and, in 
1720, by the entire removal to the newer but far larger place. But the 
Indian wars severely im])aired, for a long series of years, the ))rosperity 
of the place. 

It was a frontier town, touching the forests which stretched away to 
Canada, defending an extensive frontier, and possessing but a scat- 
tered population. In addition to the general causes of Indian hostility, 
in their own jealousy and the machinations of the French, local ditl'er- 
ences had grown out of trading operations. Suspicions of hostility had 
been so far excited, as early as 1667, as to lead, at that time, to the 
fortification of the meeting-house, by " intrenchments and flankarts," in 
M'hose inclosure sentinels paced during divine service, and whose ruins 
are stiU visible. On the breaking out of the general war of 1675, there 
commenced a series of attacks upon the inhabitants, which, with occa- 
sional and sometimes protracted intervals of peace, did not wholly end 
until the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. As most of these were petty affairs, 
and of the same general character, it is unnecessary to narrate them 
particularly. Expo.sed houses were captured and burned ; individuals 
at work were killed ; inhabitants were waylaid and shot on their way 
to church ; captives were carried to Canada, to be ransomed at a heavy 
expense, or, in repeated cases, to live and die there, where the blood 
of Dover settlers is still perpetuated. On the other hand, Indians 
were often surprised ; their stores of provisions were destroyed ; the 
woods were scoured by rangers, especially by ])arties of exasperated 
young men ; and sometimes severe blows were struck. The most de- 



NEW HAMPSIIIUE CITY OF DOVER. 471 

strnctive affair, npoii what i;s ik)w Dover soil, may be more particularly 
noticed. 

It occurred on the morning of the 28th of June, 1()S9. Thirteen years 
before, at a time when, although war had broken out on the Kennebec, 
there was peace at Piscata([ua, four hvindred Indians were assembled 
at Cochecho, two hundred of whom were refugees from the south of 
Massachusetts ; and, ignorant of the unity of the government, thought 
themselves safe wdth Major Walderne, who then commanded the forces 
of that territory. Two companies of whites, on their way to the Ken- 
nebec, stopped at Dover, who brouglit with tlieui orders to seize all 
Indians recently hostile, which they would have proceeded liy force to 
obey; but Walderne, knowing the bloodshed which would follow, 
dissuaded them, and contrived a stratagem to seize them by means of 
a sham fight. It was successful ; the whole were disarmed, and the 
southern Indians were sent to Boston, where four or five were hung, 
and the remainder sold into slavery. Thirteen years passed away, 
during which a relentless thirst for vengeance was cherished. In the 
course of this period, former habits of trade revived, and whites and 
Indians mingled freely. But the old enmity was fostered by some of 
those enslaved who had returned. On the 27th of June, the Indians 
were noticed to be gathered in unaccustomed numbers. Many strange 
faces also appeared. Some of the people hinted to Walderne their 
suspicions. " (4o plant your ]iuinpkins, and I will tell you when the 
Indians will break out," was his merry reply. That evening, a young 
man told him that the town was full of Indians. " I know the Indians 
very well," said Walderne, " and there is no danger." The Indians told 
him that a number of Indians were coming to trade next day. 
" Brother AValderne," said Messandowitt, as they sat at supper, " what 
would you do if the strange Indians should come?" — "I could as- 
semble a hundred men by lifting up my finger," was his careless answer. 
In the evening two squaws applied at each garrison house (Walderne's, 
Heard's, Otis's, Paine's, the two Coffins', and Gerrish's,) for permis- 
sion to sleep before the kitchen fire, as had often been done before. 
It was granted at Walderne's, Heard's, the elder Coffin's, and Otis's. In 
the hour of deepest cjuiet the doors were opened; the Indians in 
waiting entered. Walderne, though seventy-four years old, defended 
himself with vigor lentil stunned by a blow on the back of his head. 
The Indians then dragged him into the hall, placed him in his chair 
upon the table, with a derisive cry, "Who shall judge Indians now?" 
and cut him across the breast in turn, each exclaiming, " I cross out my 
account," and finally killed him. A messenger sent from Boston with 
warning of this very attack was delayed a night at Newburv. When 



472 HISTORY AXD DESCKIl'TION OF NEW EXULAXD. 

he reached Coeheeho the next morning, he found four or five houses 
burnt, four garrisons destroyed, twenty-three persons ]<illed, and that 
twentv-nine were captives on their way to Canada. Among these 
was Christine Oris, whose romantic adventures a iinuted space forbids 
us to recount. Other attacks were made upon other parts of what was 
then Dover, more disastrous still ; but each is noticed in the account of 
the towns as now incorporalrd. Other attacks were made also upon 
Dover soil, but the intrepid si't tiers never fell baclc for a day from their 
frontier poiition. Among tlu> various arts to surprise the whites, tradi- 
tion has preserved the following: The haymakers, having made hay 
upon a meadow a mile or more uj) the river from the falls, had piled it 
into cocks ami left it. One warm day, \\'hen the men were absent from 
Waldenie"s garrison (a few rods from the lower falls), and the doors 
were open for air, the women noticed the haycocks floating down 
the stream. They exclaimed against this wanton mischief; but none, 
save one, paid any further attention to it; and siie, as she sat carelessly 
looking, was suddenly surprised to see the cocks edging towards the 
shore. A close inspection revealed the cause — under every haycock 
was an Indian swimming. She gave the alarm; the doors were hastily 
closed, and the house secured just in time against the baffled savages. 

In the midst of other troubles, the Masonian controversy revived.' 
Several cases were tried at Dover in 1683, Walderne's being the first. 
He made no defence, asserted no title, and gave no evidence. Judgment 
was entered against hiin, and other cases followed ; but in no case 
could an execution be enforced. Riots ensued, the attempt to enforce 
an execution at Dover being ended by a woman's knocking down the 
officer with a Bible. Against such a spirit nothing could be done, ami 
the suits were suspended. They again came up in 1703, passed 
through various courts, and were a source of constant perplexity to the 
people, and great complication in jjolitical affairs, until 1746.- 

From the conclusion of the Indian wars to the Revolution, nothing 
peculiar marks the history of Dover. Its business (including shipbuild- 
ing) continued to increase. Its population in 1767 was 1,614, having 
already lost JMadbury and Somersworth (including Rollinsford), Durham, 
and Lee. The popitlation of the original territory at that time was 5,446. 
In 177-') the population of the original Dover was 5,476 ; of the present 
Dover, l,(i66. including twenty-six slaves.^ During the Revolution it 
bore its part of the burdens, supplying largely both troops and money. 
An entire regiment was enlisted at Dover by Colonel John Waldron, 

1 Sfo ante. p. "79. ' Soo ante. p. 380. 

' 111 all tin-si- cases Nc\vin<;ton is excluded. 



NEW HAMP.SHIUl'; CITY OF DOVEU. 47:> 

Tincler whom it joiiied the army at Cambridgi". The town itself ])ai(l 
bounties to all who enlisted. All through the war, in Rhode I.-laiid, 
at Beimington, at Saratoga, at New York, and on every field where 
northern troo])s were found, Dover men were in active service ; while, at 
sea, not a few of its hardy sons were the followers of John Paul Jones. 
The last person known to have served with him, Dr. Ezra Green, sur- 
geon on board the Rmig-er, died in Dover, July 27, 1847, aged one hun- 
dred and one years and one month, being previous to his death the 
oldest living graduate of Harvard College. 

From the close of the war until the introduction of cotton manufac- 
ture, the town grew somewhat slowly. Its population in 1790 was 
1,998 ; in 1800, 2,062 ; in 1810, 2,228 ; in 1820, 2,871. It was, so far, a 
fanning and ship-building town. But, with the erection of cotton mills, 
a change came over the place. The succession of saw-mills, grist-mills, 
fulling-mills, oil mills, and nail factory, which had covered 181 years, 
ended in 1821, ^\■llen the '-Dover Factory Company"' was incorpo- 
rated, by which, and its successor, the " Cochecho Manufacturing 
Company," have l)een erected four mills, running 48,688 spindles and 
1,188 looms, and printing its own annual product of 10,000,000 yards 
of cottons, in print-works of an unsurpassed character. This company 
employs four hundred males and nearly eight hundred females. There 
are also flannel mills, a steam, grist, and saw-mill, machine-shops, a 
bobbin manufactory and extensive shoe maimfictories, besides large 
annual products from fertile farms. 

Dover now contains ten churches; namely, the "First" (Orthodox 
Congregational), organized December, 1638 ; Methodist Episcopal, 1824 ; 
Universalist, March 23, 1825; First Free-will Baptist, September 1.5, 
1826; Unitarian, September 4, 1827; Baptist, 1827; Roman Catholic, 
church dedicated September 26, 1830; Episcopal, September 20, 1839; 
Washington street Free-will Baptist, February 4, 1840, and the Friends' 
Society, whose " meeting" was established about 1680. Each of these 
denominations has a church edifice, and the central part of the city con- 
tains school-houses, two of which are rarely surpassed. Dover became 
a city, September 1, 1855. Hon. Andrew Peirce was the first mayor. 
It is the shire town of Strafford county, and has a jail and court-house, 
and county offices: also, four banks, with an aggregate capital of 
$420,000, and two savings banks ; an academy, a library, a post-ofTice, 
twelve school districts, and other social and business advantages jiropor- 
tionate to its wealth. Hon. John P. Hale, United States senator from 
New Hampshire, and Ex-goveriK)r Noah Martin, are residents of this 
.•ity. 

The situation of Dover is exceedingly pleasant. Gentle elevations, 
40' 



474 



HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 



easy swells of land, and winding streams, charactrrizf its surface. 
From the liish ridsre between the rivers Newichawannock and Jicllaiuv, 




4?^5F 



..r-^ 



and from another elevation overlooking the waters of Great Bay with 
the AVinnicumet, the Lamprey, the Swamscott, the Shankhassiek. 
and the Newichawannock (with its tributary the Cochecho), all uniting 
to form the Piscataqua, rolling away in the distance, views may !><• Iiad 
of uncommon beauty. The Newichawannock (which divides the town 
from the State of Maine), and the Bellamy and Cochecho, which (low 
through the town in a southeast direction, not only add to its beauty, 
but also to its wealth, by their direct and navigable connection with the 
ocean. In the last named, the tide flows to the centre of the city, fur- 
nishing a highway, which was of great value Ijcfore tlie construction ot 
the Boston and Maine Railroad, and which a line of packets still im- 
proves. The Cochecho Railroad, on the north, furnishes also a direct 
communication with Lake Winnepesaukee, and thus to the interior 
of New Hampshire. Population, 8,186 ; valuation, $.3,629,442. 

Dublin, in the eastern part of Cheshire county, adjoins Marlborough 
on the south, Peterborougli on the east, and is forty-four miles from 
Concord. Tlie grant of this tract of land was made by the Masonian 
proprietors, November 3, 1749, to Matthew Thornton and thirty-nine 
others, residing in different towns in the middle and eastern parts of 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF DUISLIN. 475 

New Hampsliiro ; but none of tliom, it is thouglit, t'ver resided within 
tiie limits of the grant. The first person who came in was William 
Thornton, arriving here probably in 1752, where he remained but a few 
years, having left, it is presumed, through dread of the Indians. In 17G0, 
John Alexander, William MeNee, Alexander ycott, and William Seott, 
his son, and .lames Taggart and son, all from Peterborough, were in Ihi' 
town. These were what were termed Seoteh-Irish ; but they did not 
permanently reside here, having all left before 1771. Henry Strongman, 
from the same town, was the first penuanent settler. The remainder of 
ihe early inhabitants came principally from Sherborn, Mass., and among 
iliem were Thomas Morse, Levi Partridge, William (Treeuwood, Sam- 
uel and Joseph Twitchell, Jr., Eli Morse, Moses Adams, Benjamin 
Mason, and others. Dublin was incorporated in March, 1771, receiving 
its name probably from the fact that Henry Strongman, the first settler, 
was born in Dublin, Ireland. Prior to this, it was called " Monadnock, 
No. 3," ' and sometimes " North Monadnock." Upon these first efforts 
necessary to the progress of a settlement, the inhabitants entered with 
zeal, and their labors were ultimately crowned with those comforts with 
which patient toil is sure to be rewarded. In the war of the Revolution, 
out of the fifty-seven male voters in town, not one of them refused to 
sign the ''declaration" which was sent round to the several committees 
of safety by the Continental Congress. In all tiiat pertained to the 
progress of the struggle, the people cooperated heartily and unanimously, 
and many of them served in the campaigns. 

By the year 1773, the proprietors of the township had expended about 
six hundred dollars towards erecting a meeting-house ; but in April of 
that year they voted not to raise any more money at present for that 
purpose. This was the last meeting held by them for ten years, until 
September 11, 1783, when they voted to give the meeting-house to the 
town, instead of finishing it themselves. It was accepted by the town, 
probably in a rough-boarded condition. Measures were taken for its 
completion, and every purchaser of " pew-ground," as the space upon 
the floor was termed, was to build his pew, in a certain prescribed man- 
ner, whenever required so to do by the committee appointed to finish 
the house, under pain of forfeiting his lot. There was also this provis- 
ion : " Every person that owns a pew shall occupy no other seat in the 
meeting-house until his pew be as full-seated as is comfortable for those 
that seat it ; and if any person owns more than one pew, he shall not 
shut it up and keep people from sitting in it." But we find from the 

' It seems that the name Monadnork, with numbers 1, 2, ?>, etc., was applied to eiuht 
townships, of whicli this was one. Tliis township was sometimes also called North 
Monadnock, in respect to Jaffrey and Rindi;e, Ivinj; south of it. 



476 HISTORY A.N'D DESCKIPTIOX OF NEW EX(iLAXD. 

town records, that in 17SS tho meeting-house was still unfinished; and, 
indeed, it has been doubted wlKtiier it was ever finished at all. The 
reason for sjiving so much spac-e to this subject is, that it seems to have 
been the chief question raised at town meetings for forty years, contin- 
ually haunting the vision of the conscience-stricken citizens. The agi- 
tation was renewed early in the present century, and the town voted to 
build — appiiinlcd committees to locate — accepted tiie reports of sncli 
committees — got up a disagreement about the location — could not 
agree upon terms — and kept the question as a football until June, 1818, 
when the house was raised upon School-house hill, the fact being re- 
garded as little less of a nuracle than the arrival in Canaan was to the 
Israelites after their sojourn of forty years. 

The first minister in town. Rev. .loseph Farrar, was settled in J 771. 
Rev. Edward Sprague was ordained in 1777, and coininited until his 
death in 1817, although, for the last sixteen years, with a voliuitarv re- 
linquishment of his salary. He was a man widely known, l>y means of 
many jukes put in circulation respecting him, — the truth of verv few of 
them, however, having yet been shown, — probably on account of his 
ignorance of the customs of an agricultural community. He had l)(>en 
brought up in Boston, educated at Harvard college, and, although a 
good scholar and of ready wit in conversation, had an inaptitude for 
a rustic, and ])erhaps a practical, life. 

Dublin has the same diversity of hill and valli"v that is found in the 
other towns in this section of the state. Dividing Dublin from Jaffrey 
in the southwest is the grand Monadnock mountain, 3,450 feet above 
the level of the sea, which can be seen from the dome of the state- 
house in Boston, and is a conspicuous landmark for mariners. In the 
north of the centre is another mountain, — -called Beech mountain, — 
from the top of which some beautiful views can be had of the scenery 
along the Contoocook and Connecticut river valleys, of the (ireen 
mountains, as well as of other points of note. The land, though hard 
and rocky, will yield, with due attention, Indian corn, oats, barley, an.d 
potatoes, and, in some cases, wheat and rye. Fruits of various kinds are 
common. The streams in Dublin are small. Those on the west side 
run into the Ashuelot; those on the east side into Contoocook riv(>r. 
There are several ponds, the principal of which are Long and Centre ; 
the former lying in the north, and the latter in the centre. Dublin con- 
tains three villages — one in the centre, one in the northwest corner, 
known as Pottsville, and one on the north line, lying partly within its 
limits, called Harrisville; four church edifices — Unitarian, Congrega- 
tional, Baptist, and Methodist; ten school districts, and two post- 
offices — Pottersville and Dublin : also, three woollen factories, five shops 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF DUMMER, ETC. 477 

for the manufacturo of elothes pins, and two stores. The town lias 
$5,000 for the support of preaching, and $11,000 for the sn))port of 
schools, left by Rev. Edward Sprague, as well as $1,000 for the latter 
object, left by the late Samuel A]5pleton, of Boston, and which is called 
the Appieton Fund. Population, 1,0S8; valuation, $4^4,4(55. 

DuMMER, lying in the easterly part of Coos county, having Cambridge 
intercciiting it from tiie boundary line between Maine and New Hamp- 
shire, has an area of 28,040 acres, and is 140 miles north of Concord 
and thirty northeast of Lancaster. It was granted March 8, 1773, to 
Mariv H. Wentworth, Nathaniel A. Haven, and others; but was unoccu- 
pied for many yi^ars. It was incorporated December 19, 1848, and 
William Lovejoy, John Hodgdon, and Jothara E. Lang were authorized 
to call the first meeting. Dummer has made but slow progress in im- 
provemiMit, an apology for which is found in the mountainous character 
of the land and the sterility of the soil, disadvantages not easily over- 
come. The ])rincij);il rivers are the Androscoggin and the Little Am- 
monoosuc ; in the latter of which are the Dununer or Pontook Falls. 
The trade of the place is principally in timber, for the nranufacture of 
which there are two saw-mills. The town is divided into seven school 
districts, and there is a Free-will Baptist society. Population, 171 ; 
valuation, 860,224. 

DuNB.ARTON, in the extreme southern part of M(nTima(k coitnty, is 
nine miles from Concord. The first attempt at settlement was made by 
Joseph and WiUiam Putney, but the actual date of their arrival is not 
known. They erected their dwellings on the eastern border of a large 
beaver meadow, called " The Great Meadow," where they remainetl for 
some time ; but fearing an attack from the Indians, then committing 
some depredations in Concord, they abandoned the place. The first 
permanent settlement was made, in 1749, by the two persons above 
named, and Obadiah Foster from Concord, and James Rogers ' from 
Londonderry. The principal inducement to settle was the large tract 
of meadow land alluded to above, of which, it appears, they had no 
actual grant, though their possession was confirmed in 1751. This town 
was granted by the Masoniau proprietors to Archibald Stark, Caleb 
Page, Hugh Ramsay, and others, in the year 1751, and was to be five 
miles square. Many of the original settlers came from Londonderry, 

' Mr. Rogers, who was father of Major Robert Rofjers, was klllcil liy Ebfiiozer -Vyrr. 
a somewhat celebrated hunter, who, in the evening, mistook him tor a bear, for which he 
had been h'infr iu concealment. 



478 IlISTOKV AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

N. H., and some directly from Scotland and Ireland, and their posterity 
stiU retain many traits of character peculiar to the Scottish people. 
For about fourteen years the place was called Starkstown, in compli- 
ment to the original proprietor; but when it was incorporated, on the 
10th of August, 1766, it was called Dunbarton, from Dumbarton in Scot- 
land. The citizens took a noble part in the cause which resulted in the 
independence of the United States. They fought at Bunker Hill, and 
with Stark at Bennington, and many of them were foremost in the fight. 
At home all other afi'airs were considered insignificant compared to this 
struggle. 

Among those early settlers who were distinguished, we may tnciiiioii 
Captain Caleb Page, who was proprietors' clerk for many years, and 
held several of the first offices in town after its incorporation ; and Wil- 
liam Stark, brother of General John Stark, who joined the British 
service, and was colonel in the army. William Stinson, and Archibald 
Stark, brother of the former, were also early settlers worthy of notice. 

Dunbarton is a more than ordinary country town. Evidences are 
perceptible, on every hand, of the thrift and industry of the people. Its 
situation is somewhat elevated, though there are few hills and no moun- 
tains. The soil is good, and peculiarly adapted to the growth of grain, 
and for orcharding, which receives considerable attention. The wafer- 
power is not of great extent ; and the people generally devote them- 
selves to husbandry, for the prosecution of which they have a wide field 
and more than common advantages. Dunbarton Centre is the only 
village. There are two church edifices — Congregational and Baptist; 
eleven school districts; and two post-offices — Dunbarton and North 
Dunbarton: also, four saw-mills, several mechanic shops, and one store. 
Population, 91;") ; valuation, §435,244. 

Durham, in the extreme southern part of Strafford countv. is situated 
upon Great bay, which empties into the Piscataqua, and was formerly, 
including Lee, which it adjoins, a parish of Dover, by the name of Oys- 
ter River. It was settled a few years after the parent town, which was 
in 1623. Among its early settlers were Francis Matthews, William 
Williams, John Goddard, Robert Smart, and Thomas Canney. These 
persons settled at Durham Point (a beautiful spot lying at the conflu- 
ence of Great Bay and the Shankhassick or Oyster River, so called be- 
cause the early settlers found a bed of oysters in a spot about half-way 
between the lower falls and its mouth), and, by and by, on the north 
side of Great bay. A creek is still called " Goddard's Creek." This 
territory was early in dispute between Dover and Exeter; but the mat- 
ter was decided, as early as 1635, in favor of Dover, of which it re- 



NEW HAMPSHIRE — TOWN OF DURHAM. 479 

mainecl a part until its incorporation, May 15, 1732. In 1G49, tiic falls 
at Oystt-r River, near the central part of Durham, were granted to Val- 
entine Hill (formerly a merchant in Boston), and Thomas Beard, "for 
the ericivting and setting up of a sawe-mill." The mill was built before 
1651, and thus business began to centre about the " falls." Mr. HiU had 
also, in 1655, " free liberty to Cutt through our Comans for drawinge 
Part of the water of Lamperclle River into Oyster River." 

The people at Oyster River, at an early date, had difficulties in eccle- 
siastical matters with the town of Dover. They complained of the dis- 
tance to Dover Neck, where the law enforced attendance, — a law which 
was repeatedly put into operation. As Oyster River increased (it num- 
bered nearly fifty families in 1669), its inhabitants insisted on their pre- 
sumed rights. A compromise was eftected in 1651, by which the town 
agreed to support two ministers, paying them £50 each, and to build a 
meeting-house at Oyster River. This was done ; the church stood near 
the Point; and a parsonage was also built, "36 foot long, 10 foett 
Broed, 12 fooet in the wall, with two chemneyes and to be seutably 
feneshed." Rev. Mr. Fletcher was procured to preach in 1655, but he 
left the next year. In 1662 or 1663 Rev. Mr. Hull was there, but soon 
left. Dissensions still continued until the General Com*t, in 1675, au- 
thorized the people to manage their own ecclesiastical affairs. They 
then settled Mr. John Buss, who remained for forty-five years. He was 
succeeded by Rev. Hugh Adams, a good and pious man, but knowing 
far more of Scripture than of human nature. He, at one time, in a peti- 
tion to the General Court, illustrated his power in prayer by stating how 
tiiat once, being provoked by the non-payment of his salary, he prayed 
that it might not rain, and that it did not rain for three months, when he 
was coaxed out of his purpose, and " appointed and conscientiously sanc- 
tified a church-fast from evening to evening, and abstained three meals 
from eating, drinking, and smoaking any thing;" and the rain came in 
answer. At another time, in a prayer at Portsmouth, he became greatly 
embarrassed with the " white horse " of the Revelation, and suddenly 
stopped; whereupon one of his brethren remarked, that, at his time of 
life, if he would avoid a fall, he should be very cautious as to mounting 
strange horses. John Adams, a nephew of Hugh, was minister here at 
a later period. It is said by tradition, that when, after thirty years of 
turbulence, he was about to leave to go to Ncwfield, Me., then an unbro- 
ken wilderness, he closed his last service by telling the people to " sing, 
for their own edification, the first three stanzas of the 120th Psalm " 

Thou, God of lovo, tliou, ever blest, 
Pity my sufiLTing state ; 



480 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

When wilt thou set my soul at rest 
From lips that love deceit '! 

Hard lot of mine ! my days arc east 

Among the sons of strife, 
Whose never-ceasing brawlings waste 

My golden hours of life. 

Oh ! might I ily to change my place. 

How would I choose to dwell 
In some wide lonesome wilderness, 

And leave these gates of hell ! 

The Indians made this neighborhood a favorite resort, and many were 
the depredations committed by them within its borders. The laborer 
could not go to his field, nor the neighbor to his friend, nor the worship- 
per to the house of God, without his gun as an arm of defence. The 
first account we have of their incursions was in September, 1675, when 
they killed several men, burned two houses, and carried two persons 
into captivity. This was followed by another assault two days after, 
when several hoiises were destroyed and two persons killed. In 1694, 
the savages, who were lurking in the woods on Oyster river, attacked 
the place, and killed seventeen men as they were going to their morning 
devotions. A large number of the inhabitants had gone to the west- 
ward, and hence the Indians met with little resistance in their depreda- 
tions, save froiTuthe boys, who were, with some women and children, in 
one of the houses which they attacked. These little fellows manfully 
defended the place, wounding several of the enemy, and would not sur- 
render, even after the house had been set on fire, till the Indians prom- 
ised to spare their lives. The savages, however, treacherouslv murdered 
several children, one of whom they fixed upon a sharp stake before the 
eyes of its mother. But the most dark and fearful day for the little set- 
tlement was the attack by the Indians in the spring of 1695. There 
were twelve garrisoned houses in the town at that time, sufficient to 
accommodate the whole of the inhabitants ; but, apprehending no dan- 
ger, they remained in the dwellings, and the forts were in little comli- 
tion for a siege. The assault commenced by the murder of John Dean, 
whose house stood near the falls ; and the enemy, having posted them- 
selves in the most favorable positions, commenced the attack on all sides. 
From ninety to one hundred persons were either killed or carried into 
captivity, and five of the garrisons and fifteen dwelling-houses were 
destroyed. Fourteen persons were killed at one fell swoop. All was 
confusion, consternation, and terror ; and there was no face which did 
not gather paleness, and no heart which did not bleed at every pore. 



NK\Y lI.UirSIIIRE — TOWX OP EAST KIXCiSTOX. 481 

Those depredations continued till the year 170-3, np to which time the 
site of tlie town might well be termed a " scene of butchery and blood." 

Half a century of security and peace had visited the settlement, when 
the Revolution broke out, calling forth the energies of the people as well 
as their powers of enduranc-e, for the protection of interests no less 
dear to them than those they had previously contended for. The citi- 
zens took a decided stand in the cause of our country and our liberties, 
and acted a distinguished part in securing our independence. There 
were men belonging to this town who distinguished themselves in legis- 
l.nion, and in difiicult and doubtful emergencies — Hon. Ebenezer 
Thompson and Judge Frost ; and other men, who commanded in the 
iield, and gave ellicient aid to our armies — Major-General Sullivan, 
Colonel W. Adams, and the lamented Scammel. No less than fifty of 
tlie citizens went into the active services of the field, and twenty of them 
were lost in the army. 

Ship-building was once extensively carried on here, but has long since 
vanished. The soil of Durham is generally hard and strong. On both 
sides of Oyster river is a deep argillaceous loam, favorable to the growth 
of grasses, of which very heavy crops are cut every year. To the pro- 
duction of hay for the Boston market the farmers devote much of their 
time, — more than one thousand tons being annually exported. The 
principal river is Lamprey, passing through in a southerly direction, and 
emptying into Great bay : Oyster river, rising in Wheelwright's pond in 
Li-e, passes through Durham, and falls into the Piscataqua. Both 
of these rivers furnish several excellent mill-sites. The town has 
one village and two church edifices — Congregational and Christian 
Baptist ; two school districts, one academy, and one post-otfice : also, 
several saw-mills and grist-mills, and a paper-mill. The Boston and 
Maine Railroad intersects the town. Population, 1,497; valuation, 
$546,953. 

East Kingston, Rockingham county, forty-two miles southeast from 
Concord, was formerly a part of Kingston, the settlement of which was 
commenced very early, as it was incorporated in 1694. The names of 
William and Abraham Smith are found among the first settlers of 
that part of the parent town embraced within the subject of this notice. 
East Kingston was incorporated November 17, 1738. Jeremy Webster 
was authorized to call the first parish meeting, which was held January 
10, 1739. A meeting-house was built at an early period, and immedi- 
ately after the incorporation of the town the inhabitants appeared to be 
interested in sustaining religious worship. At a parish meeting, held 
May 29, 1739, a committee was chosen to go out and consult the 

VOL. I. 41 



482 III.STUKY AXD DKSCRIPTIOX OF XEW EXGI.AXD. 

neighboring ministers for <onnsi'l and advice al)ont calling a minister to 
settle in llie place. June 11th. the committee reported, '"that the minis- 
ters would do what they coiild to assist if we conclude to go on, and if 
we do, they advise us to a fast ; '' which advice was followed, and re- 
.sulted in the settlement of Peter Coffin, who remained until 177:?. 

In 1774, Jacob C4ale and Ebenezer Baclielder were chosen to go to 
Exeter to sit in convention for the pur|)ose of choosing delegates to 
congress. In 177o, at a regular meeting, it was " voted to raise thirteen 
men, who should be ready to march, on an alarm, to engage in the ser- 
vice of their country." In 177S, the town voted not to send a delegate 
to the convention at Concord to form a jjlan of government; and in 
1779, and again in 178:2, they voted not to accept the plan of sfovern- 
ment submitted; but, in December of the latter year, they " voted to 
acci'pt a part of the jjlan" (what part is not stated) ; aiid in 1783, the 
|)lan as suiimitted, with alterations, was accepted. The town was 
c-lassed with Kingston in the choice of a representative till 1783, and 
then with Soittli Hamj)ton till 1838, since which it has singly been enti- 
tled to a representative. 

The soil is excellent, few towns probably being better adapted To the 
growth of grass, grain, and the usual products of this climate. The 
Powow river, which has its source in Kingston, crosses the southwest 
part, running into South Hampton. East Kingston lost part of her ter- 
ritory by annexation, at separate periods, to South Hamjjton and to New- 
ton. The first meeting-house stood until about 1831, when it was taken 
down and a new one erected. This is occupied a portion of the time 
by the Methodists, Christians, and Baptists severally, and occasionally 
by others. The town has one school district, and one post-olTice : also, 
three tamieries, two carriage shops, one saw-mill, and one grist-mill, both 
owned by the Salisbury Manufacturing Company. The Boston and 
Maine Railroad traverses East Kingston. I\)j)ulation, 602 ; valuation, 
8346,007. 

Eatox, King in the eastern part of CaiToll county, on the l)oundarv 
line between New Hampshire and Maine, is seventy-one miles from 
Concord, and was granted November 7, 1766, to Clement Alarch and 
sixty-five others. Some of the first settlers were John Glines, John 
Banfield, Ezekiel Hayes, John Atkinson, Job AUard, Nathaniel Dan- 
forth, Joseph Snow, John Thompson, Daniel Sawyer, John and 
Robert Rcnnett, and Barnabas and Sylvaiuts Blossom. The first relig- 
ious society formed was a Baptist, in 1800. In 1862. the town was 
divided, and the western portion was incorporated by the name of Mad- 
ison. Eaton now contains about 25,600 acres, the surface being broken, 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF EFFINGHAM. 4^0 

though the soil is inoderarcly ii;oocl on the upland?;, while the plains 
yield excellent )Mne timber. The principal mill sti-eam.s are fed by 
means of springs and small brooks. There are six. ponds — ^^ alker. 
Trout, Robertson, Russel, Drown, and TInirston. Several minerals, 
among wdiich are iron ore, sulphiiret of lead and zinc, have been discov- 
ered. There are two Free-will Baptist churches, tw-elve school dis- 
tricts, and one post-office : also, five saw-mills, one grist-mill, one sash. 
blind, and dt)or factory, one cabinet and chair manufactory, and one 
bedstead manufactory. Population, 930 ; valuation, $13:2,014. 

Effingham, in the southeastern part of Carroll county, on th(^ boun- 
dary line separating New Hampshire from Maine, is sixty miles from 
Concord, and contains an area of 30,000 acres. It was settled a short 
time previous to the commencement of the Revolution, and was called 
Leavitt's Town. In 1775, Farmer says, in his Gazetteer, that there, 
were only eighty-three inhabitants here. During the war, and for some 
years afterwards, they found Effingham a hard town to live in ; hard, 
not only by reason of its being a wilderness, but from the w'ant of 
means to sustain themselves until they could raise crops from their own 
soil, and from the embarrassed condition of the whole country, invoKcd 
as it was in a war with a foreign power, the result of which no one 
could foresee. Whatever means the people had, after providing for 
their own injmediate wants, they devoted to the country's service, [n 
1778, the town was incorporated; and in 1780, having raised a surplus 
of corn, they appropriated it to the support of preaching. The Rev. 
John Adams was engaged to preach every fourth Sabbath for a y<'ai-, 
receiving his board three months of the time, and six bnsh<'ls of corn 
per Sabbath, for his services. After the organization of the general 
goveriuuent and the adoption of the state constitution, the energies of 
the settlers were turned from politics and war to the settlement of the 
town and the cultivation of its soil. The formation of religious socie- 
ties and district schools was among the foremost objects of their solici- 
tude ; the results of which are apparent in the intelligence and morals 
of the people. There have been but few changes in the bounilary 
lines of the town since its incorporation. In June, 1820, however, 
a part of the territory of Wakefield was included within its lim- 
its, and on the 23d of December the same year, Ossipee Gore was an- 
nexed. 

The surface of the town is somewliat broken; Green Moitntain being 
the princi])al elevation, and rising from the eastern shore of Ossipee 
lake to the height of nearly 1,000 feet. The Ossipee river, forming the 
northern boundary of the town, is the only stream of note ; Ijesides 



484 IILSTURY A^D DESCKIPTIO.V OF NEW EXliLAXD. 

whicli there is Province pond, a small body of water in the southern 
part. 

Effingham has three villaj^es — Effingham Falls, Drake's Corner, and 
Low's Corner ; five church edifices — Congregational, Baptist, and 
three Free-will Baptist; two post-offices — Effingham and Effingham 
Falls; and eleven school districts: also, a woollen factory, five saw- 
mills, three grist-mills, antl one carriage factory. Popitlation, 1,'2'j2; 
valuation, 6'255,063. 

Ellsworth, in the central part of Grafton county, is fifty-two miles 
from Concord, and comprises an area of 16,606 acres. It was granted 
to Barlow Trecothick, May 1, 1769, and was known by the name of 
Trccolhkk until its incorporation in 1802. The surface for the most 
part is very rough and sterile, and holds out no assurances to its 
sparse population that they will ever become wealthy by cuhivating 
its soil. Considerable maple sugar is made here, and may be set down 
as the staple product. Carr's mountain is an elevation of some note, 
and extends from the north to the central part of the town. The only 
body of water is West Branch pond, in the southeast part ; the outlet 
of which forms one of the tributaries of the Pemigewasset. Ellsworth 
has a small church belonging to the Free-will Baptists, and three school 
districts, with four schools: also, a grist-mill, five saw-mills, and thn-e 
shingle mills. Population, 320 ; valuation, >?45,706. 

ExFiELD is one of the southern frontier towns of Grafton conntv, 
fortv-two miles from Concord, and comprises 24,060 acres, about 2,o00 
of which are water. The township was granted July 4, 1761, to 
Jedediah Dana and others, and was incorporated at the same time. 
Nathaniel Bicknell, Jonathan Paddleford, Elislia Bingham, and Jesse 
Johnson were among the first settlers. The first minister in Enfield 
was Rev. Edward Evans, settled in 1799 and dismissed in 1805. He 
was a Methodist, and, contrary to the practice of those times which 
required him who would be a religious teacher in town to be of tin- 
order that happened to predominate, which was rarely other than \\w 
Congregational, he obtained the land appropriated by the town for the 
first settled minister. Hills and valleys principally form the surface of 
th(- town, which is watered by a variety of ponds and streams, the 
principal of which are Pleasant or Mascomy and East ponds. The 
former is a beautiful sheet of water four miles in length, and of various 
breadth, having a variety of picturesque scenery in its vicinity, as well 
as Mont Calm, the principal elevation. East pond is one and a half 
miles long and three fourths of a mile wide. Iron ore has been found, 
and is supposed to exist in considerable quantities. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OP EPPING. 485 

Oil the .southwestern shore of Mascomy pond is the Shaker settle- 
ment, situated on a fertile plain, and presenting quite a neat anil tasty 
appearanee. The inhabitants a?e about 120 in number, who are 
(livitled intt) tliree distinct families, each of wliic-ii has a commodious 
Iniilding for the transaction of their various kinds of business. The 
buildings generally are noted as much for their unpretending appear- 
ance, as for their uniform cleanliness. The inhabitants are engaged in 
agricultui-al and mechanical pursuits, and take much pains in the im- 
provement of stock, having recently imported two small flocks of French 
merino sheep. Their articles of trallic consist, to a considerable extent, 
of garden seeds, wooden ware, corn brooms, and woollen goods, all of 
which are of their own raising and manufacture. They have two mills 
in operation, and are possessed of a handsome meeting-house. Besides 
this village there are three others, one on the eastern shore about half 
a mile from Maseomy pond, and known as East Village ; the others 
are called Norlli Enfield and Enfield Centre, all of which are situated 
south of the Siiaker village. The Northern Railroad passes through a 
corner of Enfield, by which a ready market is found for the merciian- 
dise and surplus produce of the town. Enfield contains tliree Union 
church edifices, and one Universalist ; eighteen school districts; and 
three post-offices — Enfield, North Enfield, and West Enfield: also, a 
sash, blind, and door factory; a woollen yarn and a woollen flannel 
factory ; one extensive tannery, a bedstead factory, three saw-mills, 
and one grist-mill. Population, 1,742 ; valuation, $5o5,383. 

Eppixg, in the northern part of Rockingham county, thirty miles 
southeast of Concord, contains 12,760 acres. It was formerly a part of 
Exeter, from which it was detached and incorporated Februarv 12, 
1741 ; and the next year the inhabitants held their first meeting. An 
orthodox church was formed December 9, 1747, one of the ministers 
being Rev. Josiah Stearns, a descendant of Isaac Stearns, who came 
from England, with Governor Wentworth, in 1630. He was a native 
of Billeriea, Mass., was settled March 8, 1758, and was an unswerving 
friend of liberty in the trying times of the Revolution. This devout 
and excellent preacher ministered here thirty years, adding to the church 
during this time 1,060 souls. The Quakers had a church here as early 
as 1769, and it is stated that one of them, Jonathan Norris, was impris- 
oned for refusing to pay taxes to support the Congregationalists. Henry 
•Dearborn, an officer of the Revolutionary army, representative in con- 
gress, secretary of war, major-general of the war of 1812, minister of 
the United States at Portugal, as well as holder of several other impor- 
tant offices, resided in this ti>wn in early life. William Plumer, late 
41* 



486 III.STOIIY A^'D DESCRIPTION OF XEW ENGLAND. 

governor of New Hamissliire, and one of her most distinguished anti 
estimable citizens, resided liere till his death.i John Chandler, represent- 
ative and senator in the Massachusetts legislature, senator in congress, 
and brigadier-general in the army of 1812, was a native of Epping. 

The soil of Ejjping is, for the most part, of a productive descrijjtion. 
Several fine streams of water pass through it, diversifying the face of 
the country, and rendering it one of the pleasant towns of the state. 
Among them are Lamprey river, running the entire length, and North 
river, which waters the north part. The roads arc well made, and 
kept in good condition. The population are industrious, frugal agri- 
culturists. There are 1ln-ee villages — Corner village, Plumer village, 
and West Epping ; three church edifices — Congregational, Methodist, 
and Universalist ; eight school districts, and one post-otfice : also, six 
saw-mills, two grist-mills, one woollen manufactory, and one banU (ihe 
Pawtitckaway), incorporated 1854, with a capital of 850,000. The 
Portsmouth and Concord Railroad passes through Epping. Population, 
1,663; valuation, $622^25. 

Epsom, in the eastern part of Merrimack county, is twelve mil(>s east 
from Concord. It derives its name from a town in the county of Surry, 
England, and was granted to Theodore Atkinson and others, belonging 
to Newcastle, Rye, and Greenland, May 18, 1727, prior to which date 
there were several families in the plantation. Among those who early 
settled here were Charles M'Coy, William Blazo, Andrew M' Clary, a 
Mr. Whittaker, and Samuel Blake. The inhabitants suffered mncii 
from tlic determined yet transitory warfare of the Indians, and \\-ere frc- 
(juentlv ol)liged to remove their families from the town, or llec with 
them to Nottingham. At length a garrison was erected, in which the 
settlers sought refuge whenever danger was apprehended. Excepting 
the capture of Mrs. McCoy, on the 21st August, 1747, — who was car- 
ried into Canada, from whence she returned soon after the war, — and 
the robbery of some cattle, the Indians committed no very serious ilcp- 
redations in Epsom, such clemency being attributable, probably, to the 
friendly and conciliatory manner of the inhabitants towards then}. 
Major Andrew M'Clary, a gallant and meritorious officer, who fell at; 
Breed's Hill, was a native of Epsom. Hon. John M'Clary, son of 
General Michael M'Clary, was killed December 13, 1821, by the fall of 
the frame of a building in this town. He was for several years a 
representative and senator in the state legislature. 

' The Life of Governor Pliimer, by liis son, has been recently published by Phillips, 
Sampson & Co. 



XEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF EKROL, ETC. 4'^7 

The surface of Epsom is gonorally nneveu, the laud fi-equenlly rising 
into considerable eminences, the principal of which are McCoy's Fort, 
Nat's and No1:tingham mountains. The soil, on the average, is good, 
and well adapted for grazing or grain. Several minerals have been 
found, as also terra sienna, which constitutes a very handsome paint. 
Great and Little Suncook rivers furnish water; and there are three 
ponds, known by the names of Chestnut, Round, and Odiorne's. E|)- 
som has one village, called Suncook; two churches — Congregatiojial 
and Free-will Baptist; ten school districts, and one post-office: also, 
two grist-mills, two saw-mills, and several stores. Population, l,o6(j ; 
valuation, $374,780. 

Errol is situated in CoiJs county, on the boundary line dividing New 
Hampshire from Maine, and was granted to Timothy Ruggles ;\in[ 
others, February 28, 1774. It has an area of thirty-five thousand acres, 
a considerable portion of which is water. Much of the land is still 
covered with its native forest trees, and the soil is generally poor. The 
principal occupation of the inhabitants is lumbering. There are numer- 
ous ponds and streams ; but the principal body o( water is Umbagog 
lake, which lies on the boundary line, partly in this state and partly in 
Maine, its length being about twelve miles, and its breadth varying from 
one to five. The outlet unites with the Margalloway river to form the 
Androscoggin. This locality has acquired some celebrity through the 
very interesting narrative of Hon. D. P. Thomjjson, of Montpelier, Vt.. 
entitled " Gaut Gurley, or the Trappers of the Umbagog." There are 
no villages, nor even a church organization, in the town. It is inter- 
sected by a single road, and all the settlers have built their habitations 
on or near it. Errol has two saw-mills, one grist-mill, and one clap- 
board machine: also, three school districts with good school-houses, and 
one post-otfice. Population, 1.30 ; valuation, 655,700. 

Exeter, Rockingham county, joins Hampton and Hampton Falls on 
the southeast, and is a shire town of the county. On the 4th of .Tulv, 
1638, the first settlers arrived within the boundaries of the present town. 
To Rev. John Wheelwright (who had been disfranchised and banish: d 
for his religious views, by the government of Massachusetts), and a 
]3arty of his followers, is attributable the settlement of Exeter. Wheel- 
wright purchased of the Indians upon his arrival the country between 
the Merrimack and the Piscataqua extending back about thirty miles. 
This little band, being under the jurisdiction of no particular govern- 
ment, formed themselves into a body politic, — somewhat similar to a 
democracy, — chose their magistrates, made their own laws, in order 



4S8 HISTORY AXD DESCRIPTION OF XEW EXULAXD. 

that " thoy might live togorher quietly and peaceably in all godliness 
and honesty." This " combination " existed for three years, when, in 

1642, Exeter was annexed to the county of Essex, Mass. Wheel- 
wright, being still under sentence of banishment, then removed to Maine, 
with a few of his adherents. This distinguished man died at Salisbuiy 
in November, 1679, aged eighty-five years. He was the ancestor of all 
the Wheelwrights in Maine, Massachusetts, and Nev^r Hampshire. In 

1643, the arrangement of the counties being changed, Exeter fell w ithin 
the limits of Norfolk. Various changes occurred subsequent to this; 
but the establishment of the lines in 1741 put a period to all discussion 
on the subject of territorial lines between INIassachusetts and New 
Hampshire. 

Exeter has liad her share of the trials and hardships common to the 
settlement of a wild(>rness country ; but the greatest sufterings were ex- 
perienced from the warfare of the Indians. At the time of the arrival 
of the first settlers there were a few Indians at or near Sqitamseott 
Falls, where the compact part of the town is now built ; but thev were 
peaceably disposed and less savage in character than most of the native 
tribes, and were fully protected by the people of Exeter in their persons 
and pro[)erty. These left here about 1672, and settled on the Hudson 
near Troy. Hostilities commenced in Exeter in 1690. From this time 
till 1710, the settlers had to confine themselves to the three garrisons in 
town, cultivating their lands in continual fear of the savage enemv. 
During the forty years of this dreadful warfare, the horrors of which one 
can scarcely reafize, the killed and captives in Exeter were between 
thirty and forty, among the former of whom were Ephraim Folsom, Hen., 
and Goodman Robinson; also. Colonel Winthrop Hilton, whose death 
was deeply lamented on account of his many noble qttalities. This 
subtraction from a population so limited in numbers was great; and 
imagination can but faintly trace the harrowing jiictures which tliesc 
inroads in the ranks of the settlers conjured up in the minds of the 
survivors, fearing lest they should, sooner or later, fall victims to tlie 
same savage cruelties. The depredations upon the limited propertv 
of the settlers were great, and were severely felt. With these draw- 
backs in view, it will not seem strange that Exeter, at the close of the 
first century, had bitt twenty qualified voters within its limits. About 
1712, the Indians, it appears, ceased their attacks. 

Exeter, in the Revolutionary struggle, sustained a noble part, being 
hearty and unanimous in obedience to the measures recommended by 
those wise men who undertook the arduous enterprise of piloting the 
infant repitl)lic through the tortuous windings of an unknown destiny. 
Her inhabitants, without a murmttr, bore the dangers and hardships of 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF EXETER. 



4S9 



the war, and contracted heavy debts to raise men and supplies for the 
army. Exeter was one of the fir.st in declaring and steadily maintain- 
ing the independence of t)ur country, and her records are full of une- 
quivocal evidences of her zeal and patriotism. The early conventions, 
and the provincial assembly or congress, repeatedly met hei-e, until 1 he- 
adoption of the state constitution. Among the eminent and useful 
men who have been citizens of Exeter we may notice Hon. Sanmel 
Tenney, Hon. Oliver Peabody, Hon. Nicholas Oilman, Oeneral 
Nathaniel Folsom, Oovernors Jeremiah Smith and Hon. John Taylor 
(iilman,, all of whom held important civil, and some of them military, 
ollices ill the earlier years of the republic. Hon. Lewis Cass, who has 
occupied many important posts in the service of his country, and now 
stands next in rank to the presitleiit of the United St;ites, was a native 
of this town. He was born on the 9th day of October, 1782, in the 




Bii-th-i.hu'f Cif llou. Lewis Ca 



old house, an exact likeness of which is here givi-n from a daguerreo- 
type just taken, and was the son of Major Jonathan Oass, a soldier of 
the Revolution. His early life only was spent here. At the age of 
seventeen, he removed to the then northwest territory with his father's 
family. 

The first church in Exeter was, excepting that at Hampton, the first 
formed in the state, having been founded in lf338. Mr. Wheelwright, 
who was a brother-in-law of the celebrated Anne Hutchinson, a con- 
temporary at the university with Oliver Cromwell, and a friend of Sir 
Henry Vane, was the first minister. After his removal to Maine, the 
church was broken up. An attempt to form another in Exeter was for- 
bidden by the General Court. No church is known to have been formed 



490 HISTORY AXD DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

until 1698. In the mean time tliey had a sort of ecclesiastieo-civil 
government. Rev. Samuel DutUey, a son of Governor Dudley, was the 
minister from 1650 until his death in 1683. Cotton Mather indorsed 
him as a man \v\\o, by the "orthodox piety" whieh controlled liis ad- 
ministration of civil affairs, did much to save the country " from the 
contagion of familistic errors, which had like to have overturned all." 
It is a little surprising, however, that he should have preached so long lo 
an itnorganized body. The third minister, Rev. John Clark, was settled, 
in 1698, over a church of t\venty-eight persons then gathered. His suc- 
cessor was Rev. John Odlin, who was minister of the first church from 
1706 to 1754. Upon the settlement, in 1743, of his son, Woodbridge 
OdHn, as his colleague, — who, with his father, opposed themselves to the 
measures and influence of Whitefield, during "the great awakening," — 
a secession took place, and resulted in the formation of the second 
church with forty-one members, over which Rev. Daniel Rogers, a lie- 
scendant of the Smithfield martyr, was settled from 1748 until his 
death in 1785. Rev. Joseph Brown was pastor of this church from 
1792 to 1797 ; after which the church, for a time, declined. Rev. Isaac 
Hurd was pastor from 1817 to 1846. Of the first church, after Mr. 
Odlin, were Rev. Isaac Mansfield, from 1776 to 1787 ; Rev. William F. 
Rowland, from 1790 to 1828.1 

Phillips Academy, a view of which is given on the next page, was 
founded, in 1781, by the liberal donations of John Phillips, LL. D., wiio 
bequeathed to the institution at his death, in 1795, a considerable portion 
of his estate. It is conh-olled by seven trustees, three of whom only can 
reside at Exeter. It generally has from eighty to ninety students. The 
poorer students are aided in the prosecution of their studies hv the 
funds of this institution. The academy was opened in 1783, under the 
preceptorship of William Woodbridge. The late venerable and highly 
esteemed Benjamin Abbot, LL. D., was the preceptor from 1788 to 
1838, a period of fifty years, since which, Gideon L. Soule has served 
his twenty years. Among its trustees have been Hon. John Phillips, 
the foitnder, Samuel Phillips, John Pickering, John Taylor Oilman. 
Jeremiah Smith, and Daniel Webster. Among its instructors hav<! 
been Rev. Doctors Daniel Dana, Abiel Abbot, and Joseph S. Buck- 
minster, James Walker, president of Harvard College, Nathan Lord, 
president of Dartmouth College, Hon. Alexander H. Everett, Asher 
Ware, jttdge of the district court of the United States in Maine, and 
Nathan Hale, the veteran editor of the Boston Daily Advertiser. 

' More particularity lias been given to tlie churches here, and a mention of the lonir- 
est pastorates has been made, for the reason that their history has been so intimately con- 
nected with tlie civil affairs of the toivn. 



NEW UAMPSIIIRE TOWX OF KXETER. 



491 



Among it:^ pupils, besides most of those above mentioned, are found 
the iiami's of Lewis Cass, secretary of state of tiie United States; the 




Philliiis Acailc: 



late Leverett Saltonstall, representative in congress from Massachusetts; 
Edward Everett, the sciiolar, orator, and statesman of world-wide repu- 
tation: Jolm G. Palfrey, ex-member of congress, and distinguished as 
an author; John A. Dix, ex-senator of the United States from New 
\ork; Jared Sparks, the historian; Joseph G. CoggsweU, of the 
Astor library; George Bancroft, the historian; Richard llildretli, 
tlie historian ; the late Thomas W. Dorr, of Rhode Island memory ; 
Charles Paine, ex-governor of Vermont; John P. Hale, senator in 
congress from New Hampshire ; Alpheus Felch, ex-governor of 
Michigan and senator in congress; James H. Duncan, representative 
in congress from Massachusetts; John P. Cushing of Watertown, and 
the late Theodore Lyman of Boston, Mass. Sucli a galaxy of naujes 
as appear upon the catalogue of this institution will not, perliajjs, be 
found in coimeetion with any other academy on this continent. 

Tlie soil of Exeter is, on the average, good, though it includes every 
variety from the best quality to that least productive. The inhabitants 
are essentially an agricultural community. Improvements in husbandry 
are largely entered into. ' The town is built upon the bank of the Exeter 
river, called by the Indians Squamscott, and tlie location is desiral)le 
and pleasant. The river is navigable for small schooners. The falls 
here separate the fresh from the tide water, and fm-nish some valual)le 



492 



HISTORY AXD HESCRIPTIOX OF XEW EXGLAXD. 



mill jjrivileges, which arc occupied for inaiiul'acturing purposf's, to 
which Exeter owes much of her present prosperity. Exeter has two 
villages, the principal of which, known as Exeter, is well adorned with 
Trees, and contains many delightful residences and public buildings, 
among the latter of which arc a court-house and town hall, built in 
ls55, of brick, at a cost of §o2,000 ; a county house, where the records 
of Rockingham county are kept ; and a new jail, built in 1857. The 
other village is in the westerly part, called Paper-mill Village, it being 
largely devoted to the manufacture of }iapcr. A beautiful view of 
Exeter is here presented, taken at a point where most of the compact 




part of the town can be seen. A portion of the town was annexed to 
youtii New Market, January 7, 1853. There are nine church edifices 
— two Congregational, two Baptist, one Unitarian, one ]\rcthodist, one 
Christian, one Second Advent, and one Roman Catholic; a female 
seminary; a public library of 1,900 volumes ; six school districts, with 
tliirteen public schools; the Granite State bank, with a capital of 
^125,000; the Exeter Bank, with a capital of $75,000; a savings insti- 
tution, incorporated in 18-")1 ; and a post-office. The following are the 
incorporated companies : The Water-power and Mill Company, with a 
capital of §10,000; the Exeter Manufacturing Company, incorporated 
in 1829, with a capital of $162,500, the buildings of which are of brick, 
the ntain one being 175 feet long and fortv-five wide, and having 



NEW IIAJIPSIIini: TOffX OF FARMINCiTOX, ETC. 493 

7,224 spindles ; and the New England 8team and C4as-pipe Com- 
pany, incorporated in l^Us, and having a capital of 8100,000. Be- 
sides these, tliere are Flagg's paper-mills, manufacturing $20,000 
worth of pajier annually; Head and Jewell's carriage manufac- 
torv, with steam power, turning out $50,000 worth annually, an<l a 
numl)er of other carriage factories; the whole carriage business o( the 
town amounting annually to at least $75,000. The tanning business 
and manufacture of morocco leather produce about 625,000, and tiie 
Trade in wool is $200,000 annually. There are also three saw-mills, 
four grist-mills, two hub factories, and one steam jjlaning-mill, wiiii 
circular saws and planing lathes. The Boston and ]\laine Railroad 
passes through the village. Population, 3,329; valuation, ^1,449, 907. 

Farmixgton is situated near the centre of Strafford county, twenty- 
five miles from Concord, and contains 21,000 acres. It was originally 
a part of Rochester, from wliich it was incorporated December 1, 1798. 
The surface is broken, and the soil hard to cultivate. There are, 
however, some tracts of interval on the margin of the Cochocho river 
that produce very good crops. The Blue hills extend nearly tlirough 
the town from north to south, from the top of the highest of which, 
in the southeast part of the town, the shipping in and off Portsmouth 
harbor can be distinctly seen by the naked eye ; while, to the north and 
west, the White Mountains, Monadnock, and others of less magnitude, 
are visible. In 1819, a Congregational church was organized, con- 
sisting of eigiit members, and Rev. James Walker for several years 
officiated as pastor. 

This town was the birthplace of the Hon. H(Miry Wilson, now a 
senator in congress from Massachusetts. Here was the residence of 
two other members of congress, both now deceased, Hon. Nehemiah 
Eastman, a distinguished lawyer of Strafford county, and Hon. Joseph 
Hammons, the only physician in this town for many years. 

There are two villages — Farmington and West Farmington ; two 
church edifices — Congregational and Methodist; sixteen school dis- 
tricts, one bank (capital $75,000), and one post-office. The chief busi- 
ness is making boots and shoes. The Cochecho Railroad passes through 
the town. Popttlation, 1,699 ; vaktation, §750,411. 

FiTZWiLLiAM is in the southern ]:>art of Cheshire county, bordering 
upon the state of Massachusetts ; and is sixty miles from Concord. 
The township originally bore the name of Monadnock No. 4, and was 
granted January 15, 1752, to Roland Cotton and forty-one others ; but 
they failing to fulfil the terms of the grant, it was shortly after regranted 

VOL. I. 42 



494 HISTORY AXD DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

fo Samson Stocklanl and twenty-two others. The settlement was com- 
menced about 1760, by James Reed (a Revolutionary patriot, and after- 
wards brigadier-general), John Fassett, Benjamin Bigelow, and several 
others. In 1771, the Congregational ehurch was formed, consisting of 
six members, and Rev. Benjamin Brigham was settled, and remained 
the pastor until his death, in 1800. On the 19th of May, 1773, the 
town was incorporated, taking its name from the Earl of Fitzwilliam. 

In ISlo, a tract of land, comprising 4,200 acres, was taken from 
Fitzwilliam and annexed to Troy. The surface is hilly ; the soil of 
the upland is rocky and hard, but suitable for grazing and tillage. The 
meadow lands are somewhat extensive for such an elevated section of 
country as this, and are very productive. 

The town is traversed by the Cheshire Railroad, which has been of 
great advantage, particularly to the agricultural interest. Farming 
was formerly considered here an unpopitlar and low business, but it is 
now the leading occupation of the people ; and many of those who 
left the ploitgh for the city are now eager to return and enjoy the 
comforts of a farmers life in the country. The town is well supplied 
with ponds and small streams, but they aflord no water power worthy 
of mention. 

There are three villages — Fitzwilliam, Howeville, and Bowkerville ; 
two church editices — Baptist and Union. The Congregational church 
was burned January 15, 18-57, but preparations have been made for 
rebuilding it. There are eleven school districts and one post-office. 
Some business is done in the mamifacture of wooden ware. Pojju- 
lation, 1,482 ; valuation, $519,972. 

Francestown, lying near the centre of Hillsborough county, twenty- 
seven miles from Concord, contains 18,760 acres. Its name was given 
in remembrance of Frances, wife of Governor John Wentworth. It 
was formed from a place called the New Boston Addition, and a part of 
Society land, and was incorporated, contrary to the order of things at 
that time, on petition of the inhabitants of those places, as a distinct 
township, June 8, 1772. The INIasonian proprietors were the owners 
of the land, and the settlers obtained their titles from them. A part of 
Lyndeborough was subsequently added to the town. The first settle- 
ment was made in 1761 by persons from Londondeny, and from 
Dedham, Mass., of whom John Carson, a Scotchman, was the first 
on the ground. The former were Scotch-Irish, and the latter English. 
A Congregational church of eighteen members was formed in 1773, but 
the house of worship was not completed until 1787. Rev. Moses 
Bradford was the minister from 1790 until 1827. Prior to the Revo- 



NEW HAMPSHIRE — TOWN OF FRANCESTOWN. 495 

lution, Oetober 21, 1774, several resolves, exhibiting the spirit which 
animated the people, were passed, and published in the New Hampshire 
Gazette of November 18th, signed by nearly every inhabitant of the 
place. Henry Batten, who was a resident of Franeestown for nearly 
forty years, and who died August 25, 1822, at the age of eighty-five, 
was captured by the Indians during the French war in 1757. Although 
under the guard of two warriors, by his superior strength and agility he 
made his escape, with the loss, however, of aU his clothes. In a state of 
nudity, he wandered betsveen lakes George and Champlain for six 
days, having nothing to satisfy his appetite excej)t berries and barlv, 
and being compelled to swim the Hudson three times to escape his 
pursuers. James Woodbury, an active soldier in the old French war 
and a participant in the siege of Quebec, where he was engaged at 
the side of General Wolfe when that heroic man was slain, died in 
this town, March 3, 1823, at the age of eighty-five. He saw much 
service also as a member of Stark's celebrated company of rangers. 

Hon. Levi Woodbury was born in this town, November 3, 1789. 
He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1809, — studied law at Litchfield, 
Ct., and in Boston, — and commenced the practice of his profession in 
this town in 1812. He was judge of the supreme court of New 
Hampshire in 1816, governor of this state in 1822, speaker of the 
house of representatives in 1824, elected senator to congress in 1825, 
appointed secretary of the navy by General Jackson in 1831 ; and 
in 1833, imder the General's second term, secretary of the treasury, 
which latter office he held until the end of Mr. Van Buren's adminis- 
tration, when he was reelected to the United States senate. In 1849, 
upon the decease of Judge Story, he was appointed a justice of the 
supreme court of the United States. While holding the last-named 
office his death occurred, September 4, 1851, at Portsmouth. Judge 
Woodbury was distinguished as a man of untiring industry, as well 
as for great urbanity and dignity of character; and so popular had 
he become with his party at the close of his career, there is strong 
ground for thinking, that, had he been spared, he would have succeeded 
Mr. Fillmore in the presidency. 

Franeestown is watered by the two south branches of Piscataquog 
river, the largest of which has its source in Pleasant pond, and the 
other in Haunted pond. Pleasant pond is 350 rods square, and 
Haunted pond about 300 rods in length and 225 in width. The 
country is hilly and much of the land stony, though the soil is warm and 
moist. There are some small intervals which yield abundantly. The 
mill streams are not very large, and consequently the privileges are 
not numerous. Crotched mountain is the principal elevation, its sum- 



496 



HISTORY AND DESCEIPTIOX OF XEW EXOLAXD. 



mit being over six luuKlred feet above tlie level of the common in the 
middle of the town, aHording an extensive view of the country to the 
somhwest. A very valuable quarry of freestone of a dark grayish 
color, having a resemblance to the variegated marble of Vermont, has 
been discovered and profitably worked, being much prized for stoves 
and hearths. Plumbago, and specimens of rock crystal of much beauty, 
have been found, while the common garnet is met with in various 
places. The second New Hampshire turnpike passes through near 
the centre of the town. Francestown is eligibly situated, but h;is no 
railroad as yet running within its limits. The town has a handsome 
village, a Congregational meeting-house, an academy, established in 
1819, twelve school districts, one post-office, and one bank, having a 
capital of .$60,000. Population, 1,114; valuation, 6536,281. 




Francoxia, Grafton county, joins Bethlehem 
on the north, and is seventy-fom- miles nortii from 
Concord. It was originally called Morristown, 
and was granted February 14, 1764, to Isaac 
Searle and others, and incorporated at the same 
time, the first settlement being commenced in 
1774 by Captain Artemas Knight, Lemuel 
Barnett, Zebedee Applebee, and others. The 
surface is very mountainous; but, along the 
branches of the Lower Ammonoosuc, which 
water the town, is some very fertile meadow 
' ' land. Among the natural curiosities are tlie 

Franconia Notch, a narrow pass between JNIonnt 
Lafayette and Profile or Jackson mountain, and what is called the 
"Old JMan of the Mountain," declared the greatest curiosity in the 
state. At the height of one thousand feet, on a nearly perpendic- 
ular part of the rock which terminates one of the cliffs of Jack- 
son mountain, is seen the profile of the human face, formed by a 
peculiar combination of the surface and angles of five huge granite 
blocks. There are other points of interest ; but these are the principal, 
and are well worthy of a visit from the curious. Near the Notch are 
two bodies of water, the one known as Ferrin's pond, which is tlie 
source of a branch of the Pemigewasset river, called the Middle Branch, 
and the other, known as Echo Lake, lying at the foot of Mount Lafay- 
ette. The rejjort of a gun fired upon the shores of this lake may be 
heard distinctly several times, in perfect imitation of successive dis- 
charges of musketry. Franconia is subject to great extremes of heat 
and cold. On the 24th of January, 1857, the thermometer at 6 o'clock. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF FRANKLIX. 497 

A. Ji., indicated 49° l>clo\v zom, and a iiierenry llinrniometor taken iVdm 
a warm romn iiitd llie open air sunk to 40° ljek)W zern in less llr.m 
twenty minutes. In tlie sununer tiie Ihernionieter freciueiillv iiKJi- 
cates i00°. 

The prosperity of Francoiiia is mainly owing to 1lie discovery ot' 
iron ore in the vicinity. The principal works arc situatt'd on ilie south 
branch of the Ammonoosuc river, and are owned by the New Tlam])- 
sliire Iron Factory Company. The establishment consists of a i)last 
furnace, erected in 180S, a ca]iola furnace, a forge, and a machine- 
shop. The ore is obtained from a mountain in tlie cast part of Lisbon, 
three miles from the furnace, and is considered the richest in the 
United States, yielding from fltty to sixty-three per cent. This cstah- 
lishmiMit constantly em|)Ioys from twenty to thirty men, and from 
two to three hundred tons of bar iron are manufactured annually. 
There are also in this town two bedstead factories, a box factory, 
four saw-mills, and two blacksmith's shojis : one chiux'h edifice, occu- 
pied by the Congregationalists and by the Free-will Baptists; seven 
school districts; two large and commodious hotels, one situated at 
Franeoniaville, and the other, the Profde Hous(>, at tlie notch of the 
Franeonia mountain, wliich is said to be capable of holding two hun- 
dred and fifty guests. There are two post-olficcs here- — Franeonia ami 
Franeonia Flume. Population, 584; valuation, -8193,834. 

Franklin is a pleasant and thriving agricultural town in the north- 
east part of Merrimack county, seventeen miles from Concord. It was 
taken from Salisbury, Andover, Sanbornton, and Northficld, and incor- 
porated December 24, 1828, comprising an area of about 9,000 acres 
on both sides of the Merrimack. The surface is mostly broken, the soil 
tolerably good in some parts ; but the greater portion of the land requires 
considerable labor and attention to make it productive. This town has 
slipped in and borne away the honor which ought ever to have remained 
to its parent Salisbury — of containing the birthplace of Daniel Web- 
.ster. His father. Captain Ebenezer Webster, who was born at Kings- 
ton, went into the army of GJeneral Amherst, in the expedition against 
Canada, and, after hostilities ceased, was one of several persons from 
Kingston who, about the year 1761, entered that part of Salisbury now in 
Franklin. His first location was about two miles south-west of the village 
of Franklin, near the west line of the town.^ Here his distinguished son 



' '^ yiy tather lapped on a little beyond any other comer; and when he had l>uilt his 
loj; cabin, and lighted his fire, his smoke ascended nearer to the nortli star than tliat of 
any other of his majesty's New England subjects. His nearest civilized neighbor on the 
42* 



498 



HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 



was born, on the IStli of January, 1782. The old domicile lias long 
since passed away ; but those who feel an interest in the places where 
great men only enter the world, will desire to preserve, as a souvenir, its 



■^' 




Birthplace of Daniel Webster. 

primitive pattern, the roomy yard and ample shade. His second resi- 
dence, the home of Webster's childhood until he entered Exeter Acad- 
emy, in 1796, was about two miles southeasterly of the village. The 
father had been an officer at Bennington, White Plains, and West Point, 
and was a judge of the court of common pleas for Hillsborough, until 
his death in 1806. To the honor of the son's memory it may be said, 
that his reverence for the home of his parents afterwards led him to 
purchase this estate, which had fallen to, and been occupied by his 
brother Ezekiel. Hither the weary man used occasionally to repair ; and 
in this retirement, away from the political cormorants and party para- 
sites that haunted him at Marshfield and at Washington, soliciting his 
influence in their behalf, he is said to have composed some of his most 



north was at Mnntrpal." " TIip vf^ai- fnllnwinjx my liirtli, my fatlier moved from 

his first residence, which was a los-hoiise on the hill, to the river side. i« the same town, 
a distance of three miles. Here in the meadow land, by the river, with ronjih hills hang- 
ing; over, was the scene of mv earliest recollections : or, as was said in another case, 
'Here I found myself.'" — Vi'thilcia Prii-alc Correqiondence, vol. i. pp. 5 and 6. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE — TOWN OP FREEDOM, ETC. 499 

valuable productions. But the swift-winged messenger that travels 
along the telegraphic wire has carried its last messag-e for Webster, 
and the disk-footed courser, that pants unwearied on his iron-girdled 
course through Franklin, and across the farm of the late venerable 
statesman, now arouses by its shrill whistle in the early morn other 
occupants to the toils of the day. The place has passed into the pos- 
session of Rufus L. Tay, Esq., but retains the name of the " Webster 
Farm," and is under a high state of cultivation. The principal village 
is built at the junction of the Pemigewasset and Winnepesaukee rivers, 
which by their union form the Merrimack. The water-power is abun- 
dant and valuable. On the Winnepesaukee are several mills and fac- 
tories. The Franklin mills commenced operations in 185S, for the 
manufacture of woollen goods, but were burned down in March, 1857, 
and have not been rebuilt. The Northern Railroad passes directly in 
the rear of the principal street, on a high embankment, the track being 
elevated considerably above a level with the tops of the houses, and the 
traveller in the cars sees, as it were beneath his feet, a thriving village 
and a busy population. There are two churches — Congregational and 
Christian ; one post-office, ten school districts, and an incorporated 
academy : also, ten stores, a woollen yarn mill, an iron foundery, a crow- 
bar and axle factory, a hat factory, two carriage shops, two paper-mills, and 
a machine-shop. Population, in 1858, about 1,600 ; valuation, $647,914. 

Freedom, lying on the boundary line between this state and Maine, 
belongs to Carroll county, and is seventy miles from Concord. It was 
incorporated June 16, 1831, by the name of North Effingham, which 
was changed December 6, 1832, tco the present one. The town has a 
broken surface, but the soil is well adapted for grazing purposes, and, 
in some parts, is good for tillage. Part of Ossipee lake lies in the town, 
and Ossipee river divides Freedom from Effingham, affording water 
power of average capacity. The inhabitants devote their attention 
principally to the cultivation of the soil. The town has one village, one 
church edifice — Baptist; a post-office, and ten school districts: also, 
four tanneries, one saw-mill, one machine-shop, and manufactories of 
bedsteads, cabinet ware, carriages, chairs, edge-tools, and harnesses. 
Population, 910 ; valuation, $233,759. 

Fremont, situated about the centre of Rockingham county, thirty- 
three miles from Concord, contains about 10,320 acres. It was char- 
tered, under the name of Poplin, June 2, 1764, and its present title was 
conferred upon it by act of the legislature, July 8, 1854. The soil is 
good, and attention is devoted to its cultivation. The surface is undu- 



500 IIISTiiRY AND DESCKIPTIOX OF NEW EXULAXD. 

latiiig, l)t'ing comprised of plains and gently rising hills. The iuiiaoir- 
ants are in ordinary eirc-umstances, — neither very rich nor yet very 
poor. Fremont has never enjoyed the benefits of an established min- 
istry of any order; though the Methodists, who have a house of worsiiip, 
have given the people greater care than any other sect. There are four 
.school districts and one post-office: also, two grist-mills, two saw-mills, 
two shingle, lath, and clapboard mills, one box factory, and one gnn- 
sniith's shop. Population, 509 ; valuation, §202,829. 

Gilford, centrally situated in Belknap county, twenty-five miles from 
Concord, is the shire town, and adjoins GiJmanton on the soutli. It 
was incorporated June 16, 1812, and formerly belonged to Gilmantnn, 
with which its history is intimately connected. It was settled in 1778 
by James Ames and S. S. Gilman. Elder Richard Martin was settled 
here, in 1798, over the first Free-will Baptist society. A tract of land 
was annexed to this town from Gilmanton, July 5, 1851. The land is 
productive and well cultivated. Gunstodv and Miles brooks are the 
principal streams, flowing into Winnepcsaukee lake. Little and 
Chattleborough ponds lie here. There are several bridges, two of which 
connect this town with the islands in Winnepcsaukee lake, and four, 
crossing that lake, connect Meredith village with the one in Gilford, 
both wiiich are known by the same name — Mereditii Bridge. Passing 
through in an easterly direction nearly to the lalce is the Suncook 
range of mountains. 

Gilford contains three villages — Gilford, INIcrcdith Bridge, and Lake 
Village. Meredith Bridge is pleasantly situated and in a flourishing con- 
dition, as also is the town generally. The religious societies are three 
Free-will Baptist, one Baptist, and two Universalist — all of which have 
church edifices. The county buildings are strongly built and tastefully 
and advantageously located. There are fourteen school districts and 
an academy. The water power is good, and there are in operation 
the following manufacturing and mechanical establishments : the Win- 
nepcsaukee Lake Manufacturing Company, the Gilford Manufacturing 
and Mt^chanic Company, one cotton factory, one peg factory, one 
tannery, four saw-mills, one foundery, one large machine-shop, and the 
repair shop of the Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad. There 
are three post-offices ; namely, Gilford, Gilford Village, and Lake Vil- 
lage. Population, 2,425 ; valuation, 8724,885. 

GiLMAXTON, in the westerly part of Belknap county, adjoins Can- 
terbury and Northfield on the south, and is twenty-five miles northeast 
from Concord. It was granted to twenty-four persons by the name of 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TCiWN OF GILMANTON. OOl 

Gilmaii, — seven of wliom were ministers, — and one hundred and fifty- 
three others, for services rendered in defence of tiie country, and ^vas 
incorporated May 20, 1727. Though the settlement was put olT on 
account of the fear of Indian depredations, yet tlie proprietors made 
frequent improvements by the erection of block-houses, laying out of 
lands and roads. Benjamin and John Mudgett arrived here in 17(il. 
and were the first families in the settlement. They enditred great 
privations in their journey hither. The next year seven families arrived, 
and from that time the settlement continued to inc'-case. Rev. William 
Parsons came in 1765, and was the schoolmaster for the greater part 
of his life. He died in 1796. Rev. Isaac Smith was minister here from 
1774 until his death, in 1817. Many of the proprietors took part in 
the French and Indian wars, and did good service. In the Revolu- 
tionary struggle, Gilmanton bore an honorable ))art, and many of tiie 
inhabitants, itnder the command of Lieutenant Eastman, were in tiie 
battle of Bunker or Breed's Hill, as well as iit other of the Revolu- 
tionary battles. In 1S12, that part of the town known as the Gunstoc-k 
parish was incorporated separately by the name of Gilford. General 
Joseph Badger was an early settler and the first magistrate ; he was also 
representative, as well as judge of probate for Strafford county, some time 
prior to his death. He was a man much esteemed by his fellow-citizens. 

The surface of Gilmanton is, to a great extent, rocky and hilly, while 
the soil is various. On the ridges and swells of land is good, strong, 
productive soil: the higher hills are rocky, and adapted for pasturing. 
A small portion of the land is level, sandy, and light. A chain of 
eminences, varying in height from tiiree hundred to one thousand feet, 
divides the head s|n-ings of the Suncook and the Soucook rivers. Tiie 
jirincipal of tliese elevations is called Peaked hill, which is 450 feet 
liigh, and from its summit a view of many ]ioints of interest can 
be obtained. Porcupine ledge is a place of considerable note, and 
is much resorted to by the lover of nature. It is a very abrupt 
precipice of granite, gneiss, and mica slate rock, below which is a 
deep and shady dell, the forest trees which prevail being clotlied in 
dark evergreen foliage, while the rocks are overgrown by mosses, the 
whole presenting a beautiful appearance. Much of the scenery in 
Gilmanton is very ]>icturesqtie. Loon, Shell camp, and RoclvV jionds 
form the source of Sottcook river, and Lougee's, Young's, Ingall's, and 
Woodman's ponds form that of the Suncook river. Great Brook tiows 
through Upper Gilmanton, and Winnepesaukee river, with its various 
bays, bounds the town on the west. 

There are three villages — Academy, Iron- Works, and Factory, or 
Ipper Gilmanton; ten church edifices — three Congregational, tln-ee 



502 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OP NEW ENGLAND. 

Free-will Baptist, one Methodist, one Baptist, one Christian Baptist, 
and one Quakers ; one academy, called Gilmanton Academy, founded 
in 1794, with a fund of about §10,000, having a theological department, 
which was opened in 1835 ; thirty-one school districts ; and four post- 
offices — Gilmanton, Upper Gilmanton, Lower Gilmanton, and Iron- 
Works : also, one cotton factory, one batting mill, five grist-mills, eleven 
saw-mills, one steam tannery, several wagon-maker's shops, and shoe, 
straw hat, and other manufactures. Several periodicals have been pub- 
lished in (lilmanton, but they are now all discontinued. Population. 
3,282 ; valuation, §1,005,978. " 

GiLSUM, in the central part of Cheshire county, adjoins Keene oii the 
south, and is forty-six miles from Concord. Gilsum was first granted 
December 8, 1752, to Joseph Osgood, Jacob Farmer, and others, and 
received the name of Boyle. In July 13, 1763, it was regranted to 
Messrs. C^ilbert, Sumner, and others, receiving the name of Gilsum, — 
which is supposed to have originated from a combination of the first 
syllables of the names of these men. The first attempt at settlement 
was made in 1764, by Josiah Kilbitrn, from Hebron, Conn., who was fol- 
lowed soon after by Peletiah Pease, Obadiah Wilcox, Ebenezer Dewey, 
Jonathan Adams, and others, most of whom came from Connecticut. 
The Congregational church was formed 1772, and a meeting-house was 
completed in 1794, although previously occupied to some extent. Rev. 
Elisha Fish was the first pastor, settled in 1796. The chitrch, which 
was greatly prospered during the lifetime of Mr. Fish, after his death in 
1807 became weak and divided, and meetings A\'ere held by several dif- 
ferent denominations in private houses, the Methodists, however, having 
the preponderating influence. 

The surface of Gilsum is generally uneven and somewhat stony; but 
there is some land of a good qualitv. Ashuelot river runs through tlie 
town, and affords a number of water privileges. There is an immense 
granite boulder here, which has received the name of Vessel Rock, 
from its peculiar situation. There are two villages — Factory and Mill ; 
two church edifices — Congregational and Methodist ; seven school dis- 
tricts ; and one post-office : also, one woollen mill, which manufactures 
twenty-four thousand yards of cloth per annum ; a bobbin factory, a 
chair factory, and a large tannery. Population, 668 ; valuation, 8195,581. 

GOFFSTOWX, in the easterly part of Hillsborough county, is sixteen 
miles from CVmcord and twelve from Amherst. It was, in early times, 
a favorite resort of the Indians, who found ample support and amuse- 
ment in the abundance of fish with which its waters abounded. The 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF GOFFSTOWN. 503 

iMasonian proprietors made a grant of it, in 1748, to Rev. Thomas Par- 
ker of Dracut and others. It is not positively Icnowii when it was lirst 
settled, but it is thouglit to have been about 1741 or 174:2. It received 
its act of incorporation June 16, 1761, under the name of GolTstown, 
which was conferred on it in lienor of Colonel John Goftl?, for several 
years a resident of Bedford, and the first judge of probate in the county 
of Hillsborough. A large part of the town was originally covered with 
vahiable timber ; and this being a good locahty for fish, lumbering and 
fishing were the main occupations of the early settlers. In these early 
(hiys, the use of intoxicating drinks was very common ; and society 
here has not yet wliolly recovered from the evil inllucnces which such 
a jjractice engenders. 

A Congregational church was organized about October 30, 1771, 
and small appropriations for preaching were made annually. There 
were two religious classes in the place, — that in the south part was 
the Scotch-Irish stock and favored Presbyterianism, while the remainder 
were Congregationalists. A meeting-house was erected in 1768 ; but it 
was not thoroughly completed for some years afterwards. The first 
minister was Rev. Joseph Currier, against whose settlement a remon- 
strance was put in by tliirty-seven men, who favored Presbyterianism, 
and were determined not to give any thing towards his sujjport. Mr. 
Currier was settled in 1771, and dismissed August 29, 1774, accord- 
ing to the town records, for intemperance. Seven years intervened 
without the settlement of a minister ; and in 1781, the Congregational- 
ists and the Presbyterians were organized separately, the former extend- 
ing a call to Rev. Cornelius Waters, who became their pastor, and con- 
tinued till 179-j. The next minister was Rev. David L. Morrill, who 
was settled March 3, 1802, and was jointly supported by the two socie- 
ties under the name of the Congregational Presbyterian church. Mr. 
Morrill served the town and state civilly as well as ecclesiastically, — 
was representative of the town, senator in congi-ess, and governor of the 
state. In 1816, the Religious Union society was organized. A new 
house was erected in the west village, and meetings were held two thirds 
of the time in the new house, and one third in the old house at the cen- 
tre. In 1818-19 there Avas a deep religious interest in connection with 
tlie preaching of Rev. Abel Manning, and sixty-five persons were 
added to this then feeble church within a year. Rev. Benjamin H. Pit- 
man was settled from 1820 to 182-5; Rev. Henry Wood from 1826 to 
1831 ; and Rev. Isaac Willcy from 1837 to 18.53. A Baptist church was 
formed in 1820. Changes in the pulpit have been very common in GofTs- 
town, wliich is much owing to the meagre support extended to the minis- 
ters, not more than one half tlie people having, at any time, ever at- 



O04 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION" OF XEW EXGLAXD. 

tended worship. In the early part of 1841, a femah; commenced preach- 
ing here, and shortly more than half the voters in town came into licr 
i^npport. She professed no connection with any church. The excite- 
ment created by her preaching, however, soon died out, the result of it 
being the organization of the existing Methodist clmrch. Dr. Jonathan 
Gove, a resident of this town, served in the legislature for many years. 
All the islands on the Amoslieag falls, in Merrimack river, lying west- 
erly of tlie centre of "the Pulpit," or east stream, were annexed to this 
town, June 28, 1825. 

The surface is comparatively level, the only elevations of note being 
two in the southwest part, called by the natives Uncanoonuck. There 
are considerable tracts of valuable interval, as well as extensive plains, 
which are generally productive. Piscataquog river is the princijjal 
stream, which furnishes quite a number of valuable mill privileges. It 
passes through in a central direction. Large quantities of lumber were 
formerly floated down this stream to the Merrimack, and the forests at 
one time sup|)lied a large number of masts for the English navy. The 
New Hampshire Central Railroad ])asses through GofFstown. There 
are three villages — Goffstown, Goll'stowu Centre, and Parker's Mills; 
three church editices — Baptist, Congregational, and Methodist; six- 
teen school districts ; and two post-offices — Goflstown and Goftstown 
Centre : also, four stores, four saw-mills, two grist-mills, and one sash 
and blind factcny. Population, 2,270 ; valuation, $599,615. 

Goeiia:\i, in the eastern part of Colls county, niiiety-six miles from 
Concord, and ninety-one from PcnUand, by the Atlantic and St. Law- 
rence Railroad, adjoins Shellrarne on the east, of which it formed a part 
until its incorporation, June 18, 1836. It was formerly known as 
Shelburne Addition, and its history is intimately connected with that 
of the parent town. It is a rough, unproductive spot, lying on the 
northerly base of the White Mountains, from which numerous streams 
descend into the Androscoggin. Had it not been for the construc- 
tion of the Atlantic and St. Lawn-nce Railroad, this little place 
would never have been known. Now it is, in connection with the 
Alpine House, familiar as a household word to travellers visiting the 
White Mountains, it being one of the most favorable situations for 
viewing those great upheavings of nature, and the scenery in connec- 
tion with them. Around the Alpine House (a large and comfortable 
hotel, the property of the railroad company) has sprung up a beautiful 
little village, consisting mostly of buildings owned by the company. 
By the opening of this railroad a new impulse has been given to White 
Mountain travel. The visitor breakfasts in Portland, and alights here 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OP GOSHEN. 505 

by eleven o'clock, — rides eight miles over a road sufficiently rough to 
quicken his appetite, and dines at the Glen House, at the base of Mount 
Washington ; or, breakfasting in Boston, he ai-rives at the same spot in 
time for his evening meal. The Androscoggin flows majestically 
through the town, and the silvery Peabody river, dashing down for 
miles over its bed of pure granite, here ceases from its wild pranks, and 
falls quietly into the la]) of the Androscoggin. The picturesque ruins 
of an old saw-mill near the Pealjody river, scarcely a gunshot from the 
Alpine House, stand high luid dry, the river, during a freshet but a 
few years ago, having taken a fancy to seek out a new channel. A 
telegraph station and post-oliice ure located here. Population, 224; 
valuation, $128,839. 

CiOSHEN, in the eastern part of Snllivan county, forty-two miles from 
Concord, was first settled about the ycnr 1769, by William Lang, Ben- 
jamin Rand, and Daniel Grindle, who endured uncommon suffering and 
many hardships from the failure of their crops, which were often seri- 
ously injured, and frequently totally destroyed. On account of these 
mishaps, the inhabitants were obliged to go to Walpole to purchase 
grain. When on one of these journeys, Mr. Rand was detained by a 
severe storm of snow, which prevented his progress for six days, during 
which time his wife and children were left destitute of provisions. One 
of the children, five years of age, was kept alive by Mrs. Rand by the 
milk from her breast, her infant child having died a short time previous. 
In the spring of 1813, the spotted fever swept off many of the inhab- 
itants. The first religious society was formed by the Congregationalists 
in 1802. Deacon Josiah Stevens, a licensed preacher, came to reside in 
Goshen in 1798, and is supposed to have been the first Congregational 
minister that ever preached in the place. 

Goshen contains 12,023 acres, and was taken from Newport, Sunapee, 
Newbury, Washington, Lempster, and Unity, and incorporated December 
27, 1791. The surface is exceedingly rough and broken, but the soil is 
mostly good, and produces an abundance of grass. Sunapee mountain 
is the greatest elevation of land, and from it spring several small 
streams, which form Sugar river. Rand's pond, in the northeast part, is 
the only natural collection of water. Plumbago has been found, and is 
wrought. The raising of stock, particularly sheep, and the manufacture 
of buttei', cheese, and maple sugar, are the principal avocations of the 
people. There are two churches — Congi-egational and Baptist ; five 
school districts, and two post-offices — Goshen and Mill Village. Popu- 
lation, 659; valuation, 8165,565. 

VOL. I. 43 



506 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTIO>f 0-F NEW ENGLAND. 

GospORT, in Rockingham county, is an it^land town, one of the Isica 
of Shoals, at one time called Appledore and subriequently Star Island. 
It contains about one hundred and fifty acres, but it is not generallv 
cultivated, its inhabitants being principally engaged in fishing. In 
1661 there were upwards of forty families on this group of islands. 
The fislieries were then prosecuted with vigor and success, and the 
business continued to flourish for more than a century afterwards. 
Three or four ships were loaded here amiually as early as 1730 for 
Bilboa, Spain; besides which, large quantities of fish were taken to 
Portsmouth to be shipped to the West Indies. Prior to the Revo- 
lution, the dun-fish of these islands had obtained universal celebrity, and 
was considered the best table fish in the world.^ Town privileges 
were conferred upon Gosport in 1715, and in 1728 it paid ^16 as its 
proportion of the province tax of ,£1,000 ; it had a meeting-house, and 
afterwards a fort on its west point. Its prosperity, since that period, 
has fallen oft" to a considerable extent; but at the present writing, old 
times seem to be reviving in the way of business. In Gosport there is 
a noticeable cavern, — having the appearance of being caused by an 
earthquake, — in which a woman by the name of Betty Moody secreted 
herself when the Indians visited the island and made prisoners of a 
number of females. It is known to this day as " Betty ftloody's hole." 
There are invested in the various branches of the fisheries about 
$5,000 ; and this is the only business of which the place can boast. 
There ai-e in town one village, one Ba])tist church, one school district ; 
and a hotel, erected for the accommodation of those who visit the island 
for pleasure. Population, 125 ; valuation, 821,640. 

Grafton, in the southern i)art of Grafton county, adjoins Danburv on 
the southeast, and is tliii'ty-six miles from Concord. It was granted to 
Ephraim Sherman and others, August 14, 1761, and in May, 1772, 
Captain Joseph Hoyt, from Fremont, came here, and commenced the 
first settlement. Captain Alexander Pixley and wife arrived soon after- 
wards, and were the second family within the precincts of the town. 
The surface of Grafton is very hilly, considerably mountainous in some 
parts, and so rocky in many places as to render it unfit for cultivation. 
Some tracts of land, however, are excellent for farming purposes. 
Glass-hill mountain is the principal elevation, and is about two hun- 
dred feet high. There is a remarkable ledge here, called tiie Pinnacle, 
on the south side of which the ground rises by a gradual ascent to the 
summit ; but on the north side it falls nearly 150 feet within the dis- 

^ Report on the principal fisheries of the American seas, bv Lorenzo Sabine. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF GRAFTON. 507 

tance of six or eight feet. Smith's and Mascomy rivers, and Heard's 
river, a tributary of Smith's, furnish water. Five ponds lie here, the 
principal of which, called Grafton pond, contains from two hundred to 
three hundred acres. Mica is found in large quantities, and is an article 
of commerce. 

The town has one village, called Bungtown ; two church edifices — 
Baptist and Christian ; thirteen school districts and twelve schools ; and 
two post-offices — Grafton and Grafton Centre. Amount of capital 
invested in trade, ^7,000 ; in manufactures, $5,000. Charcoal is manu- 
factured in considerable quantities, amounting to about twelve thousand 
bushels per annum. The Northern Railroad intersects the town, ren- 
dering communication with various important points easy and expedi- 
tious. Population, 1,259; valuation, 6324,687. 

Grafton County, in the northwest central part of the state, was 
established by act of the colonial legislature, passed March 19, 1771, 
being called the " fifth county ; " and was made to contain " all the lands 
in the province not comprehended in the other counties" — (Hills- 
borough, Rockingham, Cheshire, and Strafford). The town of Burton 
(now Albany) was taken from it and given to Strafford, November 27, 
1800 ; and, December 24, 1803, it was further reduced by the incor|K)- 
ration of Coos, which was entirely formed from its territory. The 
dimensions of this county were still further reduced June 18, 1805, 
by the annexation of the whole of Nash and Sawyer's Location to 
Coos. By act passed January 2, 1829, the boundaries of Grafton 
were thus established, from which they have not since been materially 
altered : " Beginning on the westerly bank of Connecticut river at the 
southwesterly corner of Dalton ; thence on the westerly and southerly 
line of Dalton to Whitcfield ; thence on the westerly and southerly line 
of Whitefield to Bretton Woods (Carroll) ; thence on the westerly and 
southerly lines of Bretton Woods and of Nash and Sawyer's Location 
to the southeasterly corner thereof; thence southerly on a straight line 
across the unlocated lands to the line of the county of Strafford at the 
northwesterly corner of Burton (Albany); thence southerly and west- 
erly by the line of the county of Strafford to the southwest corner of 
Holderness, at the Pemigewasset or Merrimack river; thence down said 
river to the north line of Franklin ; thence westerly on the northerly 
lines of Franklin, Andover, Wilmot, Springfield, Grantham, and Plain- 
field to the southwest corner of Lebanon, on the west bank of Con- 
necticut river ; thence northerly on said bank to the bound first men- 
tioned." There are now thirty-eight towns, Haverhill and Plymouth 
being the shire towns. 



508 KISTORY AXD DESCRIPTION OF XEW ENGLAND. 

Grafton has an area of about 1,463 square miles, tlie surface of whieh 
is hilly and mountainous, though its capacities for productiveness are 
not materially lessened by this circumstance. There are tracts of land 
excellent for pasturage, and along the rivers, intervals both extensive 
and fertile. As an evidence of the resources of the county in an agri- 
cultural point of view, it may be stated, that, in 1850, it produced 
244,177 bushels of oats, 1,006,237 of potatoes, 103,000 tons of hay, and 
1,278,984 pounds of butter. The amounts of hay, oats, and butter, 
were the greatest raised by any county in the state, and the quan- 
tity of potatoes the greatest produced by any county in the United 
States. The Connecticut river forms the western boundary, besides 
which there are the Pemigewasset (the largest branch of the Memmack 
river), the lower Ammonoosuc, and the head waters of the Saco river. 
There arc numerous small lakes and ponds — Squam lake and Newfound 
lake being the most distinguished ; the former, a good part of which 
lies in Carroll county, being surrounded by much beautiful and en- 
chanting scenery. The Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad passes 
through the central part of the county, and the Northern Railroad, a 
branch of which extends to Bristol, along the southern part, the former 
coiniecting with the Connecticut and Passumpsic Rivers Railroad at 
Wells River, and the latter at White River Junction. The name of the 
county was derived from Augustus Henry Fitzroy, duke of Grafton. 

Grafton belongs to the filth judicial district, a law term of the 
supreme judicial court being held at Haverhill on the Tuesday next 
after the fourth Tuesday of December. Trial terms of this court are 
held at Haverhill on the second Tuesday of Aj^ril, and at Plymouth on 
the third Tuesday of November. Terms of the court of common pleas 
for the western judicial district of Grafton are held at Haverhill on the 
second Tuesday of April and the first Tuesday of October ; and, for 
the eastern judicial district, at Plymouth on the third Tuesday of 
May and the third Tuesday of November. Population, 40,337 ; valu- 
ation, $13,076,152. 

Grantham, in the northern part of Sullivan county, is forty-five miles 
northwest from Concord. It was granted July 11, 1761 ; but, the pro- 
prietors failing to fulfil the conditions of the charter, it was forfeited, and 
re-granted in 1767 to Colonel William Symmes and sLxty-three others, 
receiving the name of Grantham. The name of New Grantham was 
subsequently conferred upon it, which was changed back June 12, 1818, 
to the one it now bears. The surface is broken in some parts, but is, 
on the average, level, the only mountain of note being that of Croydon 
or Grantham, which extends through the westerly part, ranging from 



NEW HAMPSimiK TOWN OF GREENFIELD. .309 

southwest to northeast. On tlie summit of this mountain is a natural 
pond of some fifty acres. The soil is generally productive when under 
proper cultivation, and the mountain aflbrds good pasturage. Numer- 
ous brooks and rivulets water the town, having their source principally 
in Croydon mountain. In 1856 that portion of Grantham lying west 
of Grantham mountain was annexed to Plainlield, so that the mountain 
rising north and south through Grantham is the dividing line of the 
two towns. There are two villages — South village and Nortli vil- 
lage ; three church edifices — two Union and one Methodist ; seven 
school districts and seven schools ; and two post-offices — Grantham and 
North Grantham. Capital invested in trade and manufactures, about 
$6,000. Population, 784 ; valuation, $264,587. 

Greenfield, in the very central part of Hillsborough county, adjoins 
Peterborough on the west, and is tliirty-eight miles from Concord. 
Captain Alexander Parker, Major A. Whittemore, Simeon Fletcher, and 
others commenced the first settlement about 1771, and the town was 
incorporated June 15, 1791, receiving the name of Greenfield, which 
was conferred upon it by Mr. Winttemore. In a meadow in this town, 
formerly owned by Mr. Whittemore, have been found several Indian 
relics, from which it is conjectured that it was a favorite haunt of the 
savages. A Congregational church was organized in 1792, of which 
Rev. Timothy Clark was pastor from January 1, 1800, until 1811. Rev. 
John Walker succeeded him, and remained until 1822. A secession 
grew out of opposition to Mr. WalJcer, and a lai'ge minority went off to 
the Presbyterian church in Peterborough, and were constituted a branch 
of that churcii. The Peterborough church and the Greenfield branch 
made a union, in 1834, under the title Evangelical church. The rem- 
nant of tiie old church, which was nearly broken up, reorganized 
in 1839 under their old creed, with the temperance pledge added. 
Soon after this, the unhappy dissensions of the two bodies came to an 
end. 

The surface is rough, and the soil of a varied character, but generally 
fertile. A part of Crotched mountain lies in the north part, anil a por- 
tion of Lyndeborough mountain in the south and east sections. Th(>r(' 
are five ponds, the largest of which is about a mile in length, and 
about one third of a mile in width. Besides these there are several 
small streams. There is one village, situated in the centre of the 
town, which has a post-office. Greenfield has three church edifices — 
one Congregational and two Evangelical Congregational ; and eleven 
school districts : also, two carriage manufactories, and two stores. 
Population, 716 ; valuation, 8299.479. 
43* 



510 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

Greenland, in the eastt-rii part of Rockingham county, adjoining 
Portsmouth, is forty-five miles from Concord. Settlements were com- 
menced at a very early date ; and in 1705 there were 320 inhab- 
itants in the township. Greenland composed a part of Portsmouth 
till 1703, when it was incorporated .separately. A piece of land was 
annexed to this town from Stratham, July 2, 1847. A Congrega- 
tional church of twenty members was organized in 1706, of which 
Rev. William Allen was ordained pastor in 1707, and continued such 
until 17C0, — a period of fifty-three years. Rev. Samuel McClintock 
was settled as colleague to Mr. Allen in 1756, and contiiuied pastor 
until his death in 1804, — forty-eight years. It is doubted whether 
many such cases of permanency in the pastoral office can be shown 
in Christendom, and this is worthy of admiration, especially in these 
days of transitory pastorates. Dr. McClintock was distinguished as a 
divine, and for his attachment to the cause of his country. He was a 
chaplain in the army of the Revolution. 

The soil of Greenland is of a more than ordinary character, and 
there are some excellent farms. It is somewhat noted for its ex- 
cellent fruit, and its orchards and gardens are among the best in the 
county. There is one village, known by the name of the town. The 
religious denominations are Congregationalists and Methodists, each of 
which have church edifices. There are three school districts, tlie Brack- 
ett Academy, and two post-olTices — Greenland and Greenland Depot. 
The Eastern Railroad passes through the town. Population, 730; val- 
uation, $5356,634. 

Groton, Grafton county, is forty-five miles from Concord, and was 
settled, in 1770, by James Gould, Captain Ebenezer Melvin, Jonas 
Hobart, Phineas Bennet, and Samuel Farley, who endured many 
hardships during the following winter from the failure of their crops. 
The act of incorporation was passed December 7, 1796. Groton was 
first granted July 8, 1761, to George Abbott and others, by the name of 
Cockennouth ; and was re-granted about five years afterward to Colonel 
John Hale and others. Lots numbered from one to five were aimexcd 
to this town from Hebron, June 26, 1845. A Congregational church 
was formed in 1779, over which Rev. Samuel Perley, a graduate of 
Harvard College in 1763 was settled, and continued until 1785. Rev. 
Thomas Page was the pastor from 1790 to 1813, and Rev. William 
Rolfe from 1803 to 1828. The surface is uneven, but the soil is strong, 
and suited to the production of corn and potatoes. A branch of Baker's 
river waters the north part, and the southerly part has several small 
streams, which have their outlet in Newfound lake. The only pond 



NEW IIAMPtSniRE TOWN OF HAMPSTEAD. Tjll 

worth particularizing is Spectacle pond, which is wholly in this town. 
There are two villages — Groton and Groton Corner; one church edi- 
tice, occupied by the Congregationalists and Baptists ; eleven school 
districts and eleven schools ; and two post-offices — Groton and North 
Groton : also, ten saw-mills, two grist-mills, and shingle and clapboard 
machines. Population, 776 ; valuation, S^211,401. 

Hampstead is situated in the southern part of Rockingham county, 
thirty miles south of Concord, and twenty from Hampton Beach. It is 
made up of two segments, one from Haverhill and the other from 
Amesbury, both in Massachusetts, it being cut oflf from those towns by 
running the state line in 1741. The Indians, it appears, had but little 
partiality for this place, owing to the stubbornness of the soil. It is 
reported, however, that one or two Indians had a temporary abode near 
Angly pond, in the northeast part, where some of their implements 
have been found. Three white famiUes, of the names of Ford, Heath, 
and Emerson, moved into the place about the year 1728. Mr. Em- 
erson came from Haverhill, and several others soon followed from that 
town, as also some from Newbury. It is stated, on the authority of 
some of the oldest inhabitants, that the first house was erected by 
Edmund or Peter Morse, of Newbury, Mass. The cellar where this 
ancient habitation stood is still visible, and four large pines now stand 
in it. In the vicinity of these relics is the first burial-place of the 
'settlers of Hampstead. Near the shore of Wash pond are the remains 
of the first settlement, once the most important and prosperous part. 
The roughly stoned cellars, the half-filled wells, and the well-marked 
paths to springs of water, are still in existence. 

The town was incorporated January 17, 1749, receiving its name 
from a pleasant village in Middlesex county, England, — conferred upon 
it by Governor Benuing Wentworth, who reserved an island of three 
hundred acres, in the southwest part of the town, as his own farm.^ 
In the early settlement, a dispute arose between Kingston and Hamp- 
stead respecting certain grants made by Amesbury before the state 
line was run, which was finally settled by Hampstead paying ^1,000 
old tenor, and the grant of Unity to Kingston, made by the governor, 
July 13, ;'"64. Prior to its incorporation, Hampstead was known as 

' No such reservation appears in the charter. It would, perhaps, be more proper to 
say, that he owned the island in his own right. The buildings erected upon the island 
must, in their day, have been of a superior kind, one of which was evidently intended for 
the occasional residence of the governor ; the other, according to the English custom, 
being of a poorer kind, was doubtless reserved for the domestics. This island was 
formerly called " Governor's island." — Centennial Address, hij Isaac W. Smith. 



512 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTIOX OF NEW ENGLAND. 

Timber Lane, on aceount of the superabundance of timber then found 
within its limits. Hampstead was not behind other towns in her 
contributions of men and means to the prosecution of the Revohitionary 
struggle. General Jacob Bayley, an officer in the Revolution, Hon. 
Charles Johnson, Richard Hazzen, and Hon. John Calfe, an officer in the 
Revolutionary army and a distinguished man in politics, were residents. 
No other church than the Congregational has ever been organized here, 
and this was formed in the year 1752. It has had but three pastors 
during its existence for more than a century. Rev. Henry True was 
pastor from 1752 until his death, in 1782; Rev. John Kelly, from 1792 
until 1836 ; and the present pastor. Rev. J. M. C. Bartley, since 
1836. 

This town is situated on the height of land between Piscataqua and 
Merrimack rivers, and most of its waters descend southwest into the 
Merrimack through Spigget river, which flows from Wash pond, near 
the centre. Angly pond is in the northeast, and Island pond in the 
southwest part. The town, being composed of fragments, is not very 
square, having about thirty angles. And yet, although it is so irregular 
and small in dimensions, a person passing through on the most direct 
road from Haverhill to Chester would consider it a large and rich 
township ; for he would travel almost six miles on a good road, bor- 
dered with well cultivated fields and handsome dwellings. There are 
two meeting-houses — one occupied by the Congregationalists, and the 
other, which has been standing for nearly a hundred years, as a town- ' 
hall ; eight school districts ; and one post-office : also, one grist-mill, 
two saw-mills, two planing, clapboard, and shingle mills, three stores, 
two blacksmith's shops, three wheelwright shops, besides several 
shops for the manufacture of shoes. Population, 789 ; valuation, 
^323,267. 

Hampton, in the eastern part of Rockingham county, is a seaboard 
town, adjoining Exeter and Hampton Falls. It was surveyed as early 
as 1633, and, in 1636, a house, called the Bound house, was erected, by 
order of the General Court of Massachusetts, by Nathaniel Easton. 
In 1638, several persons belonging to Norfolk, England, solicited of 
Massachusetts the privilege of settling, which was granted on the 7th 
of October.! Among the names of the early settlers are Stephen 

' Abraham and Isaac Perkins appear to have been the grantees of Hampton. They 
were tlie first to have their children baptized by Mr. Bachiler at that place. Abraham's 
son Abraham, born September 2, 1G39, baptized December 15, 1G39, is said to have 
been the first white male cliild born in Ham])ton. Two female children, namely, Mary, 
daushter of Robert and Lvdiii Sanderson, and Susanna, daughter of Thomas and Abigail 



NEW UAMPSIIIRE — TOWN OF HAMPTON. 513 

Bachiler, Christopher Hussey, Widow Mary Husscy, Thomas Clroiii- 
well, and Samuel Skvillard. In 1639, the year after the incorporation, a 
writer asserts that there were sixty families in the settlement. Hamp- 
ton formerly included within its limits North Hampton, Hampton Falls, 
Kensington, and Seabrook. Its Indian name was Winnicumet, 
which was changed, at the reijuest of Mr. Bachiler, to the one it 
now bears. 

Like most of the earlier settlements in New England, Hampton 
experienced some of the attacks of the Indians ; and, though the usual 
precautions were taken for protection, some of the inhabitants fell 
victims to the vengeance of the savages. Among these may be men- 
tioned Captain Samuel Sherburne and James DolloU", who were killed 
near Casco Bay, Me., August 4, 1691. Jonathan Green, Nicholas Bond, 
Thomas Lancaster, the Widow Hussey, and a boy named Huckiey, 
were Idlled here in August, 1703; and Benjamin Fifield was killed near 
his house in August, 1706. The expedition under Captain Swett, 
which met with such a disastrous repulse at an Indian settlement at 
Ticonic falls, on the Kennebec, was organized in, and started from, this 
town. Captain Swett was among the killed. General Jonathan 
Moulton and Hon. Christopher Toppan, now deceased, were distin- 
guished residents of Hampton. 

The Congregational church organized in this town is said to be the 
oldest in New Hampshire, — the oldest from the fact that it was organ- 
ized prior to the settlement of the place, having been contemporary 
with the first inhabitants, who were of the Puritan stock.^ Rev. Stephen 
BacJiiler, a man well advanced in years, was the first pastor. He 
arrived in this country in 1632, having landed at Boston, June 5th of 
that year, when he immediately proceeded to Lynn, the residence of his 
son-in-law, Christopher Hussey, where he became pastor of the church. 
Difficulties, however, arose with the congregation, and Mr. Bachiler, 
with several of the church who had come over with him, asked for a 
dismission, which was granted. Instead, however, of leaving Lynn, as 
it was supposed he would, he and the recusant members renewed their 
former obligation for the purpose of forming a new church at Lymi, 
which, however, was received with such disfavor by the original church, 
that Mr. Bachiler and his flock deemed it advisable to remove to some 
other place, where they might not be subjected to such wranglings. 

.Jones, were baptized October 29, 1039. One of them was probably the first white 
child born there. — New Emjland Ilisloiical and Genealogical Rer/ixler, January, 1S58. 
' Historical Address at Hampton, N. H., in 1838, by Joseph Dow. 



514 mSTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

Failing to settle at Cape Cod, they took up their abode in Hampton in 
the autumn of 1638. Mr. Bachiler seemed to be unfortunate in his 
ministerial efforts. Dissensions crept in here, and his connection with 
the church ended, it is supposed, about the year 1641, when he went to 
Exeter. In 1656 or 1657 he returned to England, where he died, at 
the age of one hundred and one years. His colleague in the ministry 
was Rev. Timothy Dalton, who was called "teacher," while Mr. Bach- 
iler was called " pastor ; " and became the principal minister after the 
dismissal of the latter. In 1647, Rev. John Wheehvright was made 
assistant of Mr. Dalton. Another distinguished minister was Mr. 
Seaborn Cotton, son of Rev. John Cotton of Boston, who was ordained 
as pastor in 1660. He was succeeded, after his death in 1686, by his 
son, John Cotton, who reluctantly accepted a settlement in 1696, and 
continued until his death in 1710. There were many other able and 
zealous men engaged in the ministry in this town, among whom was 
Rev. Jesse Appleton, afterwards president of Bovvdoin College. 

The surface of Hampton is principally level, and a large proportion 
of the land is salt-marsh and low interval lying along Hampton river, 
which divides this town from Hampton Falls. Most of the land is 
of good quality, well adapted to tillage and mowing ; but pasturage 
is rather scarce, to obtain which, many of the cattle are sent to the 
neighboring towns. The situation of Hampton is pleasant, affording 
from its eminences romantic views of many interesting points, such as 
the Isles of Shoals, and the sea-coast from Cape Ann to Portsmouth. 
Invalids, and parties of pleasure, resort to its beaches, which are only 
surpassed by the celebrated one at Nahant. Accommodation for visi- 
tors is afforded at the beach by excellent hotels. An abrupt eminence, 
called Boar's Head, extends into the sea and divides the beaches, 
about half-way between the river's mouth and the northeast corner of 
the town. 

The fisheries have been prosecuted with much success, and it is said 
that one boat will frequently land from twenty to thirty tons of cod. 
Ship-building was formerly carried on to a considerable extent ; but, 
since lumber has become scarce in the vicinity, the business has fallen 
off. Two convenient wharves are situated one and a quarter miles 
from the centre of the town. Large quantities of corn, potatoes, and 
hay, are animally exported, which is sufficient evidence that good 
attention is paid to agriculture. There are two villages — Centre and 
East Hampton ; three church edifices — Congregational, Methodist, 
and Baptist ; six school districts, and one post-office : also, three saw- 
mills and three grist-mills. The Hampton Academy, incorporated 



NEW HAMPSHIRE — TOWN OF HAMPTON FALLS. 515 

in 1810, is a flourishing institution. Population, 1,197; valuation, 

$528,075. 

Hampton Falls, Rockingham county, was formerly a part of Hamp- 
ton, which it adjoins on the northeast. It was incorporated in 1712, 
and is distant forty miles from Concord. The soil is much the same as 
that of contiguous towns, moderately good. The first meeting-house 
was erected as early as 1711. It stood on the hill, and occupied the 
present site of the Weare monument. The parish was incorporated in 
1718. In 1737 the meeting-house was tiioroughiy repaired, and in 
1768 it was voted to build a new house, which was ready for use in 
1770. In 1780 it was voted to sell the old one for the support of the 
poor. The new house stood till 1842. Thcophilus Cotton, grandson 
of Rev. John Cotton of Boston, was ordained pastor in 1712, and 
officiated until his death in 1726. He was succeeded by several worthy 
and eminent men, among whom was Rev. Samuel Langdon, D. D., for 
several years president of Harvard College. He was settled here as a 
minister in 1781, and died November 29, 1797. Dr. Langdon was a 
native of Boston, and was chaplain of the New Hampshire regiment 
in the expedition to Louisbvirg, for the services, " fatigues, and dangers " 
of which he received a grant of ten thousand acres of land in this (then) 
province. He spent the remainder of his days here in usefulness and 
peace, and his body rests in the churchyard, near the scene of his labors. 
He gave his library to the church for the use of the minister. 

Hon. Meshech Weare, one of the most worthy and distinguished cit- 
izens of New Hampshire, was a resident of Hampton Falls. He served 
his country for nearly forty-five years, — as speaker of the house in 1752, 
as commissioner to the congress at Albany in 1754, as a justice of the 
superior court, and, in 1777, as chief justice. During the Revolutionary 
|)('riod he held the highest offices, legislative, judicial, and executive ; 
and, under the new constitution, was elected the first president, which 
office he resigned before the close of 1784. He died .January 15, 1786, 
in the seventy-third year of his age. He was also fellow of the 
American Academy of Arts and Sciences. A monument, said to be the 
largest in the state, has been erected in this town, by order of the legisla- 
ture, to the memory of this distinguished man. Hampton Falls has one 
village, called Brimstone Hill; two meeting-houses, one occupied by 
the Congregationalists, and the other by the Baptists and Unitarians ; 
three school districts, the Rockingham Academy, the Weare Bank 
(capital, $50,000), and one post-office. The Eastern Railroad passes 
through the town. Population, 640 ; valuatioji, $373,176. 



516 • HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

Hancock, in the western part of Hillsborough county, is divided from 
Greenfield by Contooeook river, and is thirty-five miles from Concord. 
It was incorporated November 5, 1779, receiving its name from John 
Hancock, who was one of the original proprietors. John Grimes and 
his family were the first settlers, having arrived in May, 1764. They 
did not remain during the winter, having passed that time in Peter- 
borough. They returned the spring following, 1765. John Aspey, 
George M'Cloud, Moses Morrison, and William Lakin, with their 
families, settled about four or five years subsequent to the first arrival ; 
and were followed by emigi-ants from Groton, Hollis, Londonderry, 
New Ipswich, and otiier places, — so that the settlements were materi- 
ally increased. Many of the hardships incident to new settlers fell to 
the lot of these inhabitants ; but, as most of the towns contiguous were 
settled to some extent, their sufferings were moderate when compared 
with those of others less favorably situated. A church of seventeen 
members was constituted in 1788, and thirty-one persons had united 
with it anterior to the settlement of Rev. Reed Paige as pastor, in 1791. 
He remained until his death in 1816. Rev. Arciiibald Burgess was 
pastor from 1822 mitil 1849, since which. Rev. Asahel Bigelow has 
been pastor. 

Hancock possesses excellent advantages for the successful prosecution 
of agriculture, — the soil, though varied, being generally productive. 
The surface in the west part is mountainous ; but the other parts 
are composed of plains, hills, and valleys, which are distributed in very 
agreeable ])roportions. The two principal ponds are called Norsvay 
.and Half-moon, — the former being near the centre, and the other in 
tlie southwest corner. About one third of the farm of John Flint was 
annexed to this town from Antrim, January 1, 1849. Hancock con- 
tains one village, having the same name as the town ; one church 
(Congi-egational) ; eight school districts; an aoadeiny; several fac- 
tories; and one post-office. Capital invested in trade, §6,000. Popu- 
lation, 1,012; valuation, 8405,78:J. 

Hanover, (irafton county, lies on the Connecticut river, opposite 
Norwich, "\^t. on the west, being distant from Concord fifty-two miles. 
It was granted by charter, July 4, 1761, to eleven persons of the name 
of Freeman, and fifty-two others, principally belonging to the state of 
Connecticut. Tiie town was first visited with a view of settlement in 
May, 1765, by Colonel Edmund Freeman, of Mansfield, Conn. ; and, in 
1766, Benjamin Davis and Benjamin Rice, from the same place, to- 
gether with Gideon Smith and Asa Parker, became residents. The 
main portion of the first settlers were from Coiniecticut. 



NEW HAMPSUIRE TOWN OF HANOVER. '>\.7 

The surface of Hanover is, to some extent, uneven ; but the greater 
portion is adapted to agriculture, and there is probably less waste land 
here than in any other part of the county. A considerable elevation, 
called Moose mountain, extends across the town from north to south, 
at the distance of about five miles horn Connecticut river. Within the 
limits of Hanover are several small islands, the largest of which is Par- 
ker's, which has about twenty acres. Mink and Goosepond brooks are 
the principal streams, neither of which is large enough for permanent 
mill privileges. 

The charter for a ferry across Connecticut river was gi'anted, in 177"-2, 
to Dartmouth College ; and in 1792 a lease was made by the trustees of 
the college to the White River Falls Bridge Company, which had been 
incorporated by the legislature for the purpose of erecting a bridge over 
the site of the ferry, the lease providing an annual stipend of fifty dol- 
lars to the college for the privilege, which has ever since been paid. In 
1854, this bridge was burned down, since which the question of buikling 
a free bridge has been urged upon the people. After some sharp dis- 
putes, as well as legal controversy, in respect to the proportion which 
each of the several parties in interest should contribute, the matter was 
harmoniously arranged in November, 1858, and the erection of the free 
bridge was completed the next year. This is a work of great importance 
to the people of Hanover, as well as to the college, as it will restore 
a ready communication with Norwich, and, by means of the Con- 
necticut and Passumpsic Rivers Railroad, with the river towns in Ver- 
mont. 

Dartmouth College, a view of which is subjoined, is located here. 
It was established as a college Tinder tiie royal charter in 1769, receiving 
its name from the Earl of Dartmouth, who was at the head of a board 
of trustees, in whose hands the contributions made in England towards 
its endowment were placed. Its conception may be traced to Moore's char- 
ity school for the education of Indian youth, which had been designed 
and commenced at Stockbridge, Mass., by John Sergeant, a missionary, 
as early as 1736, but whose labors death had interrupted. The school 
was revived by Rev. Eleazer Wheelock, at Lebanon, Ct. Aside from 
the original design, a number of English youth were educated with the 
Indians. As the number increased, it became necessary to erect biiihl- 
ings and extend its operations. A I'emoval was contemplated to a more 
secluded region. Many invitations were extended from difTerent sec- 
tions, but that of the governor and other gentlemen of New Hampshire 
was accepted. Dr. Wheelock was declared in the charter the first 
president, and a board of twelve trustees was constituted with perpetual 
succession. The college was endowed with a large landed estate, con- 

VOL. I. 44 



518 



IIISTOIIY AND KESCRII'TIOX OF NEW ENGLAND. 



sitting of a whole township (Laiidaff), and many otlier tracts in ditrcr- 
ent places, amounting to 44,000 acres. A valuable lot of five hundred 
acres in Hanover, the gift of Governor Banning Wentworth, was fixed 
upon as the site for the school and college. Dr. Wheelock, who had been 
an intimate colaborer with Edwards in the " Great Awakening " of 
1740, and was strongly imbued with a missionary zeal, left a flourishing 
church after a pastorate of thirty-five years, and removed witii his col- 
ony of seventy or eighty to the new location. The training of Indians 
in the close confinement of college w^alls being found discordant wiiii 
the requirements of nature, and the resumption by many of them of 
former w ild and roving habits, soon made apparent the impracticability 




Dartmouth College. 

of making their cultivation a leading purpose, while the growing wants 
of the extending whites determined the future destiny of the institution. 
The Indian school has, however, always been maintained. Dr. "Wheel- 
ock continued as president until his death in 1779. He was suc- 
ceeded in the presidency by his son, Hon. John Wheelock, LL. D., who 
continued in the office for thirty-five years, untU the controversy arose 
between him and the ti-ustees, in which the state took part.^ Rev. 
Francis Brown, D. D., was president from 1815 to 1820; Rev. Daniel 
Dana, D. D., during 1820-21 ; Rev. Bennett Tyler, D. D., from 1822 to 
1828 ; since which, Rev. Nathan Lord, D. D., has occupied the chair. 
The whole number of those who have been connected with the college 
is 4,187, of whom 1,540 survive. The number of graduates in regular 



' See ante. p. 390. 



NEW HAMPSliniK TOWX OF nAVKUIIILL. 519 

course has been 2,SS9, of wliom 1,121 survive. The graduating classes 
for several years )iast have raiigetl from forty-five to sixty-two. 'riiere 
are connected with it a medical ch^partment, and the Chandler iSeien- 
tifie School, recently founded by the will of the late Abiel Cliandler, 
which went into operation in 1852. The college buildings are spacious 
and convenient, and present a very handsome a[)pearanee. " Though a 
more central situation for the college would be, on some accoiuits, 
highly desirable, yet it has often been ri'iuarked, that the location of 
Dartmouth College is peculiarly favorable to study, and the preservation 
of morals. Circumstances conducive to these objects, in addition to 
establishments wisely arranged for the pursuits of literature, are to l)e 
found in the salubrity of the situation, the uniform temperature of the 
climate, and the ])leasantness of the village, which is neither too ))o|)u- 
lous nor too solitary." When it was first coimiieiieed, there were but 
twenty log huts in town, and, as a necessary consccpience, the accom- 
modations at first were very humlile and meagre. The buildings now 
consist of five, including an observatory and a chapel. A s|)aei(>us 
yard is attached thereto. They are situated in the Plain village. The 
Medical College, sixty or seventy feet in length and three stories high, 
built of brick, is situated in this village, a few rods north of the [)ark. 

Hanover contains three villages, the principal of which is called tlie 
Plain, taking its name probably from the fact of its situ,ation, which is 
on an extensive and level jilat of, ground half a mile from Connecticut 
river, and some one hundred and fifty feet above its waters. A more 
advantageous situation could not be desired. A park or comnron of 
some six acres has been laid out, tastefully adorned with trees, around 
wliich are erected the dwellings of the inhabitants, which are well 
built, and have beaiuiful gardens attached. The streets are of consid- 
erable width. On the south of the common is the Dartmouth hotel, 
several stores, and the Tontine, a brick building four stories high and 
150 feet in length. There are four meeting-houses — two Congrega- 
tional, oiK^ Baptist, and one Episcopal ; eighteen school districts ; an 
academy, two female seminaries, and two post-otfices — Hanover and 
Hanover Centre. The Connecticut and Passumpsic Rivers Railroad 
pisses by on the opposite side of the river. Capital invested in trade, 
iiil00,006. Population, 2,350; valuation, 8723,824. 

HAVERiiiLii is the half shire town of C4rafton county, situated on the 
western confines of the state, and distant from Concord seventy miles. 
The first particular account of this place was obtained by Captain Peter 
Powers, of Hollis, N. H., and others, who were sent out, in 1754, by 
the government of the state, to explore the Coos countrv, and who en- 



530 3IIST0KY AXD DESCUIPTIOX OF NEW EXGLAXD. 

camped on tlio common in Iluvcrliill Corner.^ Jn 1761 Captain John 
Hazcu sent out from Havcrliill, Mass., two men with some cattle, — 
their names were Michael Johnson and John Pettie, — who took posses- 
sion of what was called the Little Ox Bow, on the east side of the 
river, which they found already cleared, probably by the Indians, who 
occupied the jik ;uk)\vs on this and the Vermont side.^ In the spring of 
1762 Captain Hazen and Colonel Joshua Howard arrived, with liands 
and materials for building a saw-mill and a grist-mill, which were shortly 
afterward erected where the Swazey mills now stand. The first family, 
that of Uriah Morse, moved here in June of this year, and March IS, 
1764, the town was incorporated under its present name, being known 
j)rior to this as Lower Cohos. Settlers soon after arrived in considera- 
ble numbers, and evidences of improvement were soon apparent. Hon. 
Moses Dow and Hon. Charles Johnson w'ere distinguished residents of 
this town. The former held several high civil and military offices in the 
county and the state ; and the latter was a valuable officer in the Revo- 
lution, and judge of probate for Grafton county for many years. A 
church was gathered under the efforts of Rev. Peter Powers, and he 
was settled over it from 1765 until 1782. After the intervening pas- 
torates of Rev. Ethan and Jt)hn Smith, Rev. Grant Powers, aitthor of 
" History of the Coils Country," was settled here as minister of the Con- 
gregational chnrch, January 4, 1815, and continued until 1829. 

Haverhill is pleasantly situated, and has a varied soil, well adapted to 
the difi'erent modes of cultivation pursued in the state. Granite stiita- 
ble for mill-stones, as well as iron ore, is found. Oliverian and Ilazen 
brooks, both which fall into Connecticut river, water the town in its 
several parts. Haverhill has the county buildings, consisting of a court- 
lioitse, jail, and a fire-proof building for the county offices. There are 
four villages, — Haverhill Corner, Oliverian, North Haverhill, and 
Wobdsville, — the former of which is the principal one, and has a beau- 
tiful common laid out in the form of an oblong square, around which 
stand the buildings, which are regitlarly built. The site has been well 
selected, being a handsome elevation, commanding a view of the adja- 
cent country from all points. From the street the ground slopes with 
unusual elegance to the west, and is succeeded by large intervals. 
There are here seven church edifices — tv^^o Congregational, three Meth- 
odist, one Baptist, and one Union house ; nineteen school districts ; an 

' See Grant Powors's History of tlio Coos Country. 

■ Near this spot, at the mouth of the Cow Meadow brook, were discovered evidences 
of an okl Indian settlement. There were several domestic implementg found here, as 
well as heads of arrows and other relics, and also a buryinii-irround. 



NEW HAMPSillRE TOWN OF HEBRON, ETC. ')2l 

academy, incorporated in 1794; and four post-offices — Haverliill, East, 
Haverliill, North Haverhill, and Haverhill Centre : also, three grist-mills, 
twelve saw-mills, one paper-mill, one manufacturing company, called 
the Aqueduct company, one large tannery, one carriage manufactory, 
one iron foundery, seven shoe factories, a printing-office, several me- 
chanic shops, and nine stores. The Boston, Concord, and Montreal 
Railroad passes through Haverhill. Population, 2,40-3; valuation. 
$802,811. 

Hebron, in the southeast part of Cirafron county, is distant from Con- 
cord forty miles. Nearly one half of this town formerly belonged to 
Groton, and the remaining portion was taken from Plymouth. Hebron 
was settled, aboitt 1765, by Joseph Hobart, and was incorporated June 
15, 1792. The surface is somewhat rough, and the soil rather stubborn ; 
yet the inhabitants, who are for the most part engaged in agricultural 
pursuits, have so far overcome the obstacles of nature as to render it; 
very productive of some articles. The larger jmrtiun of Newfomul 
lake lies in the southeast part, and is the only body of water of any im- 
portance in the town. Hebron contains one village, which lies in the 
centre; one Congregational church, seven school districts, an incor- 
porated academy, and one post-office : also, one store and one tan- 
nery. Population, 565 ; valuation, 6122,256. 

Henniker, in the southwest corner of Merrimack county, is fifteen 
miles from Concord. July 16, 1752, James and Robert Wallace and 
others, belonging to Londonderry in this state, obtaiiied a grant of this 
town from the Masonian proprietors under the name of Number 6. 
James Peters arrived in 1761, and commenced preparing the place for 
settlement; soon others followed, most of whom came from Marlbo- 
rough, Mass. The act of incorporation was passed November 10, 1760, 
and the name of Henniker was conferred upon it by Governor B. 
Wentworth, probably in compliment to John Henniker, Esq., of Lon- 
don, who was a friend of the governor, and a member of the British 
parliament. Hon. Robert Wallace, one of the original proprietors, held 
many important civil offices, among which was associate judge of the 
court of common pleas. He lived to the age of sixty-six, the greater 
portion of which was devoted to the public service. A church with nine 
male members was constituted in 1769, and Rev. Jacob Rice was pastor 
from then till 1782, although, on account of his ill-health, the pulpit was 
often vacant. He continued to sujiply it occasionally for twenty years 
after, during which there was no minister. A division grew up between 
the church and the town, the former being anxious to settle Rev. Moses 
44* 



522 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTIOX OF NEW ENGLAND. 

Sawyer, who, on account of the town's opposition, was oniaincd in a 
barn, Way 2(5, 1802, where he preached some tinic. His niinisiry con- 
tinued until 1826. 

The surface of Henniker is comparatively even, the only eminence 
of note being Craney hill, lying on the south side of the townshi|), 
which has been brought under a high state of cultivation. In fact, i In- 
whole of the territory is of a fertile character, and is second to none in 
the county. The town is divided into nearly equal portions by the Con- 
toocook river, the course of which is rather circuitous, and presents scenes 
of more than common attractions. The water power is of large ca- 
pacity, and excellently located for the successful prosecution of business 
in connection therewith. There are several ponds of considerable size, 
the principal being Long pond, which is from one to two miles in 
length ancl from forty to eighty rods wide. The New Hampshire Cen- 
tral Railroad coimects this place with the city of Manchester, and the 
Contoocook Valley Railroad renders communication with the capital of 
the state, and with Portsmouth, easy. Henniker contains two villages — 
Henniker and West Henniker, each of which has a post-office; two 
church edifices — Congregational and Methodist; thirteen school dis- 
tricts, and one academy: also, one woollen factory, several mills, and 
three stores. Population, 1,688; valuation, $64*^,190. 

Hill, in the extreme south(M-n part of Grafton county, is twcnty-fonr 
miles from Concord. It was granted September 14, 1753, to eighty- 
seven proprietors, the greater portion of whom belonged to Chester, aiul 
hence it received the name of New Chester, which it retained until 
January, 1837, when its present name was substituted. Captain Cut- 
ting Favor and Carr Huse were the first two settlers, arriving here in 
1768. IMr. Huse was somewhat distinguished, having been town clerk 
for several years, as well as representative. Hill was incorporated No- 
vember 20, 1778. The surface is somewhat uneven, yet some fine 
farms have been laid out, which are very productive. The soil in some 
parts is rich and fertile, and, on the average, all of it may be called 
good. Ragged mountain, lying here, is a considerable elevation, little 
inferior to Kearsarge. Pemigewasset and Blackwater rivers, and s<n-- 
eral smaller streams, furnish abundance of water. The only pond of 
note is called Eagle. The inhabitants are principally engaged in agricul- 
ture. Hill contains one village, bearing the same name as the town, in 
which is located the only post-office ; tvvo church edifices, occupied by 
the several denominations ; eleven school districts, three stores, and the 
usual mechanical operations of a country town. Population, 954 ; val- 
uation, •'?260,593. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH. 523 

HlLLSEOROUGH is the most northerly town in Hillsborougli county, and 
adjoins the counties of Merrirnaek and Sullivan. Its shape is nearly 
that of a diamond, being six miles square, and containing 27,320 acres. 
Settlements were first commenced, in 1741, by a company of men from 
Boston; the territory being at that time under the jurisdiction of Mas- 
sachusetts, by whom it had been granted to Colonel John Hill and a 
Mr. Keyes. In April, 1746, the few scattered families in Hillsborough, 
liearing of the depredations committed in adjoining towns by the In- 
dians, and seeing several of them prowling about the falls in Contoocook 
river, determined to abandon the settlement, and remove to a place of 
greater security ; and, after burying their heavier articles of furniture, 
they commenced their flight, taking with them their lighter articles, and 
driving their cattle before them. Among those who first settlecVwere 
James Mc Galley, Samuel Gibson, Robert McClure, and James Lyon. 
For more than fifteen years from the dispersion of the first settlement, 
the town was destitute of inhabitants. In 1760, the conquest of Canada 
and the termination of the second French war having removed the dan- 
ger of savage incursions, another settlement was commenced, under more 
favorable auspices than the first. Colonel Hill was now sole proprietor 
of the town. Daniel Mc Murphy made the second attempt at settle- 
ment in 1762, and fixed his residence on Bible hill. He was soon fol- 
lowed by other settlers ; and in 1767 there were sixteen heads of fami- 
lies in the place, who came principally from Massachusetts. Ample 
proof is furnished that Hillsborough was much visited by the Indians, — 
doubtless the Penacook tribe, — from the exhuming of various cooking 
utensils and implements of war. 

The act of incorporation was passed in 1772, the charter stating that 
all the white-pine trees growing in the town were to be reserved for the 
use of the royal navy, a clause which was not very favorably regarded 
by the people, and met with some opposition. It was called Hill- 
borough at the request of the proprietor ; but, by common usage, the 
s has been added to the first syllable, probably in compliment to the 
Earl of Hillsborough, one of the privy council of George III. In 177.5, 
when hostilities between this country and Great Britain commenced, 
there were forty families here ; but, before the close of the war, this 
number was considerably augmented by immigration. The spirit of 
resistance to the oppressive measures of the mother country extended 
even to this remote settlement, and the inhabitants entered with patri- 
otic ardor into the excitement of the contest, furnishing both men and 
means to prosecute the war. Captain Isaac Baldwin and Lieutenant 
Ammi Andrews particularly distinguished themselves in General 
Stark's regiment. In the last war with Great Britain, a commendal)le 



524 HISTORY A.ND DESCRIPTIOX OF SEW ENGLAND. 

fspirit of patriotism \vas evinced by the citizens of Hillsborough, nearly 
twenty persons having enlisted in the regular army. Two natives of 
the town — General John McNeil and Colonel B. K. Pierce — were 
distinguished oiflcers of that war, and many cases of signal courage 
were exhibited. Tiiere is little doubt that the cool courage of General 
McNeil decided the victory of Chippewa, in 1814. He was then a 
major of the 11th regiment. Its commander, Colonel Campbell, was 
killed as he was leading his regiment into action. The command then 
devolved upon Major McNeil. The regiment under his lead marched 
with shouldered arms to within fifteen rods of the enemy's line, receiv- 
ing a heavy fire during the entire advance without breaking or waver- 
ing. It then came up to line with the steadiness and precision of a 
parade, and poured a most destructive fire upon the enemy. The enemy 
immediately charged upon the 9th, which was directly in front. In so 
doing they were heedlessly passing the 11th. McNeil saw their position 
at once, and taking advantage of it, gave the command : " Eleventh, 
form line to the front, on the right platoon." The command was obeyed 
at once, and a raking and destructive flank fire was poured into the 
ranks of the enemy. The enemy broke at once, and fled, no efforts 
of their officers being able to stay them until they had gained the pro- 
tection of their fortifications. General Jesup, in referring to this Hank 
movement of Major McNeil, says: "General IMcNeil, on his own 
responsibility and without orders from any one, made a decisive move- 
ment at Chippewa, and he certainly contributed as much to 

the victory as any other man in the field." And General Scott, in his 
official report, says of the fire upon the enemy : " That of Major jMcNeil 
was most efiective, from the oblique position which his troops judiciously 

occupied, and he deserved every thing which conspicuous skill 

and gallantry can win from a grateful country." 

At tiie battle of Niagara, as he was gallantly leading the 11th into 
action, his horse was shot under him and he received a canister shot 
which passed through his right knee and shattered the bones severely. 
This occurred while he \vas leading Brady's and his own troops to the 
contest Brady's regiment, the 22d, broke and fled. McNeil, seeing 
their panic, spurred his horse in front of them, and, by persuasion and 
threats, rallied them, reformed them, and led them into action with his 
own troops. Although suffering extremely from pain, he continued in 
the battle until, fainting from the loss of blood, his situation was dis- 
covered, and he was taken from the field. He recovered from his 
wound, but was a cripple for life. 

Among those who have been natives or residents of Hillsliorough, 
and have distinguished themselves in the service of tiic country or the 



NEW HAMPSIIIKK TOWN OF IIII,I,Si:OR0riiII. MO 

state, may be mentioned Lieutenant Robert B. Wilkins, n brave ollicer, 
who served as qnarter-niasler in the detachment commandeil ljy Ciciirriil 
Lafayette, with wliom he was well acquainted. Quite an atl'eeting scene 
is represented as having taken place between this oliieer and the general 
when the latter visited Concord in 1825. Governor Benjamin Pierce, 
the father of Ex-president Franklin Pierce, was also a distinguished 
military and civil officer. He entered the army at Lexington, and con- 
tinued under arms till the last troops were disbanded in 1784. 'J'hc 
Ex-president was born here in 1804, and practised law some time before 
moving to Concord. A Congregational church was formed in 17(59, 
and Rev. Jonathan Barnes was jiastor from 1772 until 1803, after which 
the pastorate does not seem to have been a bed of roses to any of thi' 
incumbents, owing to that almost invariable cause of embarrassment in 
town settlements, a dilVerence of opinions and tastes b(>tween the town 
and the churrh. 

The suri'ace of Hillsborough is uneven, being greatly diversified by 
hills and dales. It has a rugged, yet, in general, strong and jiroductive 
soil, favoral)le to the cultivation of all kinds of grass and English grain. 
Stow's mountain, in the northwest part, is the highest elevation. 
Hillsborough is watered by tributaries of the Contoocook river, and by 



/J^^ 
S^ 



». 



Birthplace of Frankli 




those of the Hillsborough river, both considerable streams. There are 
three natural ponds, known as Loon, Contention, and Campbell's, to- 
gether making a surface of tive hundred acres of water. There are four 
villages — Hillsborough Centre, Hillsborough Bridge, the Upper village, 



e'JiiG HISTORY AXD DESCRIPTIOX OF XEW ENGLAND. 

and Lower village, the sei-oiiil of wliicli is lli(> jirineijial, kn-ated on hoili 
sides of the Contooeook river, wliich is erossi'il at this jxiint In" an ele- 
gant and substantial arched granite bridge, \\ iienee tlje name of the 
village is derived. The Contooeook, by two falls of considerable si/e, 
supplies this village with a valuable water power. It is tiie seat of con- 
siderable mercantile and manufacturing business, and many of the 
dwellings are handsome. The other villages are pleasantly located, and 
an; generally in a prosperous condition. In the Lower village is the 
elegant mansion of the late Governor Pierce, the birthplace of the Ex- 
president, a correct view of which is here given. It is now the place of 
residence of Hon. C. E. Potter, to whose wife it has descended from 
her mother, Mrs. General John McNeil, who was a daughter of the 
governor. 

There are four meeting-houses — two Congregational, one Methodist, 
and one Baptist; nineleen school districts; an academy (the Hills- 
borough), incorporated in June, 1821, and three post-offices — Hills- 
borough, Hillsborough Centre, and Hillsborough Bridge : also, eight 
saw-mills, five grist-mills, foitr tanneries, one iron foundery, two ma- 
chine-shops, manufactories of furniture, bedsteads, shoe-pegs, carriages, 
and tin and sheet-iron, and a large number of blacksmith's, shoe and 
boot, and carpenter's shops. The Contooeook Valley Railroad has its 
termiiuis at Hillsborough. Population, 1,6S5; valuation, .^G24,731. 

HiLLSEOROUGll CouxTY, in the southern ]3art of New Hampshire, eon- 
tains abotit 960 square miles. It is one of tli<' live cotuities into which 
New Hampshire was divided INIarch 19, 1771, \\-hen under the sway of 
monarchy. Since that time her limits have l)een materially diminished, 
j)artieularly in 1823, when she gave thirteen of her oti"sj)ring — Andover, 
Boscawen, Bradford, Dunbarton, Newbury, Henniker, Hooksett, Hop- 
kinton. New London, Salisbury, Sutton, "Warner, antl AVilmol — to 
form the present county of Merrimack. December 10, lS-.'4, Pelhain 
was taken fronr Rockingham, and added to her territory. Bv act of the 
legislature in 1829 the lines were established, and are still as follows : 
"Beginning at the bound between the towns of Salem and Pelham at 
the state line; thence westerly by the state line to the southeast corner 
of Rindge; thence by the easterly lines of Riiidge, Jaffrey, Dnl)lin, 
Nelson, Stoddard, and Washington, to the northwest corner of Hillsbor- 
ough ; thence by the northerly and easterly lines of Hillsborough, and 
southerly lines of Henniker and Hopkinton, to the northwest corner 
of Dunbarton; tlience by the westerly and southerly lines of Dunbarton 
and Hooksett to the line of the county of Rockingham ; thence by the 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF HINSDALE. /iij? 

last-mentioned line to the bound first mentioned." Plillsborougli lias 
now thirty towns within her limits, Amherst, Manchester, and Nashua 
being the shire towns. The records are kept at the former. 

Hillsborough county has a surface diversified here and tlierc with em- 
inences, tliough there are but few mountains of very considerable alti- 
tude, Lyndeborough, Uncanoonuck, and Crotched being the principal. 
The soil is mostly fertile. Water is abundant in the county, — the Mer- 
rimack, the Souhegan, the Contoocook, the Nasluia, and the Piscata- 
quog being rivers of much value for water-power and other purposes. 
Besides these there are other streams of lesser magnitude, and numer- 
ous ponds, as well as part of Massabesic lake. Manufacturing, the ad- 
vantages for pursuing which are considerable, commands a large share 
of the attention of the people. The county is traversed by the Concord, 
Contoocook Valley, New Hampshire Central, Wilton, and Peterborough 
and Shirley Railroads. The Merrimack river, by means of canals 
around the falls, is rendered navigable for boats. 

The county belongs to the second judicial district, a law term of 
which is held at Manchester on the first Tuesday of June animally. 
The trial terms of the supreme judicial court are held annually at 
Amherst on the second Tuesday of September, and at Manchester on 
the second Tuesday of January. Terms of the court of common pleas 
are held at Amherst on the third Tuesday of A|iril, and at Manchester 
on the first Tnesdav of November, in each year. Population, 57,478 ". 
valuation, !s27,498,821. 

Hinsdale, Cheshire county, seventy-five miles from Concord, lies on 
the Connecticut river, having Brattleboro' and Vernon, Vt., on the 
opposite side. Being formerly a part of Northfield, it was granted by 
the government of Massachusetts, and its settlemi'nt was commenced 
as early as 1683. Hinsdale received the privileges of a town, Septem- 
ber 3, 1753, an.d its name was conferred upon it in honor of Ebenezer 
Hinsdale, a prominent inhabitant, much esteemed by his fellow towns- 
men for his virtues and talents. It is the place of residence of the 
present governor, William Haile. At the time of incorporation it in- 
cluded Vernon, which was separated from it when Vermont became a 
state. Before 1753 it was known as Fort Dummer, or Bridgnian's 
Fort. 

At the time of settlement, vicissitudes and trials of the most grievous 
character were the common lot of the pioneer, wherever he might turn 
his steps; but a situation on the frontier — beyond the call of the civ- 
ilized brotherhood, and in the very pathway of the savage, who might 
burn, pillage, and murder at any moment — was fraught with dangers, 



;52S HISTORY AXD DESCKIl'TIoX OF XEW ENGLAND. 

:uul surrouiKk'd with dilFicultios, wliich can better be imagined than de- 
scribed. Sueh a position had Hinsdale ; and the chapter of her history 
is tilled with ineidents of a harrowing nature, where murder was Ire- 
(juent, and captures of the settlers of almost every-day occurrence. 
Forts were erected, — Dumnier, Hinsdale's, Shattuck's, and Bridg- 
,,,;iiiV, — Ijiit even with these the settlers were insecure. On the 24th of 
,!une, 174G, a party of twenty Indians approached Bridgman's fort, ant! 
made an attack on several men, who were laboring in a meadow near 
i)V, when William Robbins and James Parker were killed, John Bee- 
man and Daniel How made prisoners, and M. Ciilson and Patrick Ray 
wounded. The savages did not escape unharmed, — one of their num- 
ber having been killed by Daniel How. In 1747 the Indians assaulted 
Bridgman's fort, which they burnt, and killed several persons, besides 
taking others prisoners. In July this year. Colonel Willard with twenty 
men proceeded to the grist-mill for the purpose of grinding corn, when 
the guards, whom he had stationed to watch the apjjroach of any hostile 
force, were fired upon by the savages. The Colonel, by giving repeated 
and vociferous orders to attack the enemy, led them to suppose that he 
had a very superior force ; and the Indians immediately took to llight, 
leaving their packs and provisions as trophies. 

These attacks did not end here. A party of the settlers, while cross- 
ing from Colonel Hinsdale's to Fort Dummer, June IC, 1748, were sur- 
prised, Nathan French, Joseph Richardson, and John Frost being 
killed, and seven others captured, one of whom (William Bickford) died 
of his wounds. Another assault was made, in 1755, upon a ]iarty 
who were at work in the woods, when John Hardiclay and John Alex- 
ander were murdered, and Jonathan Colby was taken prisoner. The 
last attack of which we have any record took place on the 27th of 
.Inly the same year, when the Indians ambushed Caleb Howe, Hilkiah 
(irout, and Benjamin Gaffield, as they were returning from their labor. 
The remnants of an Indian fortification, erected anterior to the settle- 
ment of the town, may be seen on a point of a hill a short distance 
from Connecticut river. A deep trench, extending to the river, divides 
the site of the fort from the plain at its back, and would prove a very 
strong obstacle to an enemy in ca*e of attack. When this ancient arm 
of defence was constructed, or any other points in its history, must be 
left to the decision of some persevering antiquary. 

The surface of Hinsdale has several eminences, — the principal of 
which, lying on the north line, is West River mountain, extending 
easterly from the banks of the river across the town. Its highest peak, 
called iNIine mountain, is about nine hundred feet above low-water 
mark. Iron ore. beils of silicate of manganese, and other minerals, have 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWX OF IIOLDERXESS. 529 

been found in or near this I'miiicnec. Some years ago, signs of a vol- 
canic eruption, attended liy tiie emission of a substance resembling lava, 
were apparent in this mountain. There are extensive and fertile tracts 
of interval; and Stebbins hill, a tract of excellent land, is capable o( a 
high degree of cultivation. In tiie nortii part tiie land lietween the 
hills and the interval is level, and suitable for the jiroduetion of corn, 
rye, and clover. Water is jilenliful, there being a great number of 
s))rings and rivulets, — the |n-ineipal of which are the Ashuelot, Kilburu 
brook', and Ash-swamp brook. AVitliin the limits of the town are sev- 
eral islands, lying in the Connecticut river. There are two bridges, 
one crossing the Connecticut o])posite Brattleboro', and the other cross- 
ing the Aslmelot near the centre of the town. Hinsdale contains three 
church edifices, — Congregational, Universalist, and Baptist ; nine 
school districts, and one post-office : also, two establishments for the 
maniifactvire of cashmerettes, two paper-mills, two machine-shops, one 
chisel factory, one bobbin factory, two pail factories, one grist-mill, 
five or six saw-mills, one carriage factory, one tannery, and several 
smaller mechanical establishments. The Ashuelot Railroad, a branch 
of the Connecticut River Railroad, connects with Hinsdale. l\>pula- 
tion, 1,903; valuation, $-lol,4o7. 

HoLDEENESS, in the eastern part of Grafton county, forty miles from 
Concord, is in size about six miles square. It was first granted October 
10, 1751, to John Shepard and others ; bvit the charter was forfeited, and 
it was again granted October 24, 1761, to John Wentworth and sixty- 
seven others, all members of the English Episcopal church. It was 
originally known as New Holderness, and was settled, about 1763, by 
William Piper, from Durham or its vicinity. Some of those who came in 
subsequently' were from Barrington. This town has one village, called 
Holderness Village, which is about five miles from Plymouth and forty 
from Concord. The soil is hard to till, but not un[)roductivc. A con- 
siderable cjuantity of maple sugar is annually made, and fruit — consist- 
ing of plums, cherries, and pears — grows here in comparative abun- 
dance. The Pemigewasset and other streams impart their fertilizing 
inrtuence to the soil, and afford good mill sites. There are three large 
ponds, — two called Sqnam, and one. White Oak, — the largest being 

' One of those, Hon. Samuel Llvermoro, came here in 17C5. He became proprietor of 
about half the township. His native plaee was Waltham, Mass., where he was born in 
1732. He grailuateJ at Princeton CoUejie in 17.34. He became chief justice of the 
superior court and a senator of tlie Uniteil States, being the most distingnisheil citizen 
whom Holderness has ever had. His son, Hon. .\rthnr Livermore, resided near the banks 
of Pemigewasset. He also hehl the place of cliief justice of the highest state court. 

VOL. I. 45 



530 III.STOUV AND DIvSCUlPTIOX OF NKW EXiJLAXD. 

about six iiiilt's lung aiul half a mile wide, and the smallest alidut a 
mile lunijf. 'i'lK'se are very i)eautiful sheets of water hidden among 
the wilds of the baekwoods. The road which runs by the larger 
Squam was, a few years since, almost impassable, but a new one has 
since been laid out. The route from Plymouth to Winnepesaukee lake 
and along its borders to "Wolf borough is very picturesque, its scenery 
being scarcely rivalled in this part of the country. Salmon-trout abound 
in the ponds, and trout, pickerel, and perch in the brooks. There are 
three churches — one Free-will Baptist and two Episcopal, of which 
one of ihe latter is the eldest. Rev. Robert Fowle otticiated as its 
minister for more than thirty years from 1791, upon a salary usually of 
about two hundred dollars, lie also carried on farming, and some- 
times represented the town in the general court, being " vir doctiis el 
hiimili!!,'" a man learned and yet humble. There are seventeen school 
districts, and one post-office : also, four saw-mills, four gi-ist-mills, 
five paper-mills, a peg factory, and woolen factory, most of them located 
upon a stream flowing from the Squam ponds. The capital invested 
in trade is $20,000, and in manufactures |150,000. The Boston, Con- 
cord, and Montreal Railroad has a station here. Po]>ulation, 1,744 ; 
valuation, ii:<40o,(JS9. 

HoLLis, Hillsborough county, on the southern boundary of New 
Hampshire, adjoining Nashua, formed a part of old Dunstable, until 
December 28, 1739, when it was set oft' as the " West Parish of Dun- 
stable," and soon after incorporated as a separate town by the name 
of HoUis. Peter Powers and his wife moved to Dunstable in 1728, and, 
in the fall of 1730, Powers penetrated the forest as far as Nisitisset, 
now HoUis, which he fbced upon as his future residence. The next 
year he brought his wife and two children into this then dense wilder- 
ness. Mr. Powers had been a soldier under the lamented Captain 
John Lovewell, and was not unused to hardship or destitute of courage. 
in the summer of 1752 Eleazer Flagg arrived, and Thomas Dinsmore 
and nine others with families came in 1736, who soon made the neces- 
sary arrangements for permanently locating themselves. Of course the 
early settlers of these uninhabited wilds had to endure trials and hard- 
ships; but there is no account that they were ever attacked by the 
savages whom they had come to supplant, and teach the manner of 
living, though Ihey were under fearful apprehensions of attack, as ap- 
l)ears by the following, dated May 20, 1746: "Voted to petition the 
General Court of Massachusetts Bay for some soldiers for a Guard for 
us, being in great danger of the enemy." The first minister. Rev. Daniel 
Emerson, was settled April 20, 1743 (a meeting-house having been 



NEW HAMPSHIRE — TOWN OF HOOKSETT. 531 

erected two years previously), and he was sole pastor for more tliaii fifty 
years, afterwards senior pastor until his death in 1801. 

Hollis furnished a large luunber of men for the expedition to Ticon- 
deroga and Crown Point, and Peter Powers w'as commissioned as 
captain. Scarcely had this drawback to the progress of the town been 
oft'set by the fall of Quebec and the consequent surrender of all 
the French possessions in Canada, before another cloud darkened the 
horizon of peace. This crisis, while demanding equal courage in a 
holier cause, was one fraught with more serious results to America. 
The storm of the Revolution burst forth, and Hollis gave bountifully 
of her limited strength. Seventy of her sons were at the battle of 
Bunker Hill, while she furnished, with facility and jiromptness, her 
quota of men for other expeditions in the good cause. No less 
than 250 men from Hollis were in the various battles of the Rev- 
olution, thirty of whom lost their lives in the contest. Peace was pro- 
claimed in 1783, and in its wake followed prosperity and enterprise. 
The lands, which had hitherto been allowed, for the want of hands, to 
lie uncultivated, now began to bloom with fruitful crops, and the advan- 
tages which the town possessed in other ways were improved. 

The soil of Hollis is of a varied description, and on the Nashua are 
some excellent tracts of interval, while the uplands are moderately fertile. 
The Nashua and Nisitisset rivers water the town, and furnish good 
mill sites. Near the centre of the town, on a somewhat elevated and 
pleasant site, is a thriving village. There are two meeting-houses 
(Congregationalist and Baptist); thirteen school districts, and one 
post-office: also, eight saw-mills, four grist-mills, and several mechanic 
shops. The Worcester and Nashua Railroad connects with Hollis. 
Population, 1,293 ; valuation, $667,392. 

HooKSETT, the southeastern corner town of Memmack county, adjoin- 
ing Manchester on the south, and nine miles from Concord, was formed 
from portions of Chester, Goflstown, and Dunbarton, being incorporated 
July 2, 1822. There are some well-cultivated farms here, but the soil, 
on the average, is not of the best description. Agriculture engages a 
large share of the attention of the inhabitants. Pinnacle mountain, on 
the west side of the town, is composed of an immense mass of rocks 
some two hundred feet in height, covered with a ragged gi-owth of trees 
and bushes. There is a pond at the foot of this mountain, the water 
of which is remarkably clear and deep, having no visible outlet. It is 
supposed to have been the bed of the mountain, from which the latter, 
by some violent convulsion of nature, was upturned. A remarkablv fine 
view is obtained of the surrounding landscape from the summit of this 



532 HISTORY AXD DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

eminence. Speeiincns of lead and silver ore have hvcn reeently dis- 
eovered, and a ti)ui|)anv has been l\)rmed lor the purptjse of working 
the mines, with a fair ])r<is|)eet t)f siiec-ess. The river Merrimack runs 
through the centre of the town. The Isle-of-Hooksett fall.-?, liaving a 
descent of water of about sixteen feet perpendicular in thirty rods, are 
.situated here. Hooksett has three villages — Hooksett, Martin's Ferry, 
and Rowe's Corner; nine school districts; two church edifices — Con- 
gregational and Methodist; and one post-ofRce : also, a large mill, 
owned by the Amoskeag Company, of JManchester; several brickkilns, 
one or two steam saw-mills, and a pail factory. Two railroads pass 
through Hooksett. The Portsmouth and Concord Railroad enters from 
the east, and the Manchester and Lawrence from the south. Popu- 
lation, l.oOo ; valuation, §.j(il.l03. 

HOPKINTON, lying in the southern part of IMerrirnack county, is seven 
miles west of Concord. It was granted by Massachusetts, January 16, 
1786, to John Jones and others of Hopkinton in that state, and received 
the name of Number 5, and subsecjuently. New Hopkinton. About 
1740, several emigrants from Hopkinton, Mass., took up their residence 
here, and commenced the settlement. The Indians committed several 
depredations, and during the French and Indian war, which commenced 
in 1744, the inhabitants were compi'lled to abandon their homes, and 
the settlement was not resumed Till after the conclusion of that contest. 
On the 22d of April, 1746, six Indians, fully armed, assaulted a garrison, 
and succeeded in making an entrance, taking eight persons prisoners. — 
namely, Mr. Woodwell, his wife, two sons, and a daughter, and Samuel 
Burbank and his two sons, Caleb and Jonathan. These persons were 
asleep at the time of the attack. It is related of Abraham Kimball, the 
first male citizen, that on the loth of April, 1753, while going from 
Kimball's garrison to that of Putney, he was made prisoner by the In- 
dians, as also was an aged man named Samuel Putney. Some three 
days after this, the Indians, while in the vicinity of Boscawen, being 
suddenly surprised by some of the inhabitants of that town, fled, leaving 
Putney in the rear, while Kimball escaped, through the sagacity of a 
dog, that seized an Indian while making preparations to kill Kimball. 
The Masonian proprietors, November 30, 1750, made a grant of this 
town to Henry Mellen and others, which occasioned considerable per- 
plexity with the proprietors of Bow. It was, however, settled by the 
charter of incorporation, which was granted January 11, 1765. At the 
first meeting of the proprietors after the grant, they voted, " That when 
ten families are settled, the proprietors will maintain preaching." A 
Congregational church often members was formed November 23, 1757, 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF HUDSOX. 533 

over which Rev. James Sr-alos was pastor from that date until 1770. 
There being no meeting-house, tiie ordination took place in Pntiiev's 
fort, in the open air, attended by a large number of people. Rev. Elijah 
Fletcher was the pastor from 1773 to 1786. The house of worsliip was 
destroyed l)y an incendiary fii-e in February, 1789, in consecpience of 
whicii the ordination of Rev. Jacob Cram, which took place the same 
month, was solemnized on a platform erected for the purpose. Until the 
house was rebuilt, public worship was held in the barn of Benjamin 
Wiggin. 

Hopkinton contains 2r),967 acres, the surface of whicli consists of 
widely extended hills, together with several tracts of interval and 
meadow land, all of which is well adapted to the purposes of agricul- 
ture. Fruit-growing receives some attention. Contoocook river waters 
the town, receiving in its course Warner and Blackwater rivers, and sev- 
eral large brooks emptying into the Merrimack at Concord. The Mer- 
rimack and Connecticut River Railroad and the Contoocook Valley 
Railroad cojmect at Coiitoocookville. Lumber is manufactured in 
considerable quantities. There are two villages — East Village and 
Contoocookville; six church edifices — Congregational, Episcopal, Bap- 
tist, Free-will Baptist, Universalist, and Swedenborgian ; twenty-one 
school districts, two academies (one at each village), and two post- 
offices — Contoocookville and Hopkinton : also, one grist-mill and six 
saw-mills. Population, :2,1G9 ; valuation, §717,069. 

HrDSON, Hillsborough county, is situated on the east bank of the 
Merrimack river, opposite Nashua. It was included in the original 
grant of Dtmstable, and was set otV into a separate townshi|) bv the 
legislature of Massachusetts, in 1732, by the name of Nottingham. It 
received a new act of incorporation under New Hampshire, July 5, 
1746, and was called Nottingham West. In March, 1778, a small por- 
tion of the territory of Londonderry was annexed to it, and July 1, 1830, 
the name was changed to Hudson. It was not settled until after 1710, 
although several tracts within its bounds were granted before 1660. 
The names of some of the early settlers were Blodgett, Colburn, Cross, 
Cummings, Greeley, Hill, Lovewell, Marsh, Merrill, Pollard, and Winn, 
who commenced settlements on the banks of the Merrimack, where the 
Indians had cleared fields for raising corn. From anticipated attacks of 
the .savages, the first settlers lived in garrisons ; but, however nec(^ssary 
sitch precautions may have been, there appears to be no record of any 
depredations committed by the Indians. In the old French war of 
1756, two soldiers from this town. Amos Pollard and Asa Worcester, 
were in the army in Canada. Hudson contributed largely, according 

45* 



534 ni.-TORY AND DESCKII'TIOX OF NEW EXiiLAXD. 

t(i iis piipulatioii, to (he support of the Revolutionary struggle, five of 
ihe iiiiialiiiants having been Jii Captain Walker's fompany at Bunker 
Hill. A Congregational ehureh was constitvited November 30, 1737, at 
whieh time Rev. Nathaniel Merrill was settled as pastor, who appear;- 
to have served the church until his death in 1796, ahhough the civil con- 
tract was dissolved, in 1774. for a consideration of £60. The land is easy 
of cultnre, Ueini,^ of a rich sandy loam. On the river are large intervals 
of deep and fertile soil; but distant from the river, the surface is hilly 
:!nd mieveii. There are two p,onds — known as the Little JNIassabesie 
and Ottcrnick, both covering about three hundred acres. Hudson con- 
tains two villages: tin-ee church edifices — Baptist, Congregational, and 
.Methodist; ten scliool districts, and one post-oft'icc : also, four saw-mills, 
two grist-nulls, one batting mill, one wheelwright shop, and one tool- 
maker's shop. Population, 1,812; valuation for 1857, $464,o92. 

Jacksox, CoJis countv. is situatinl at the base of the White ]\Ioun- 
tains, adjoining Bartlett on the south, and ninety miles fiom Concord. 
It was first settled by Benjamin Copp, who, with his family, consti- 
tuted the onlv inhabitants, and endured unexampled hardships for a 
period of tw(<lv(> years. In the year 1790, they were relieved from their 
loneliness by the arrival of four other familii's, — those of Captain 
Joseph Pinkham, Clement Mcserve, .]v\m Young, and Joseph D. Pink- 
ham. The si'ttlemcnt was first called New Madbury, which it retained 
till the de.te of its incorporation, Uecembcr 4, ISOO, when it was called 
Adams. To suit prevailing political opinions, this name was changed 
.luly 4, 1829, to Jackson, in honor of the jiresident of the United 
States. 

The surface of Jackson is uneven and rocky: but the greater propor- 
tion of the laiul is adapted to cultivation. The most noted eminences 
are Black, Baldfaee, and Tlun-n mountains, the second of whieh is sit- 
uated on the line between Jackson and Bartlett. Iron ore of t!ie best 
(piality. as also bog and magnetic iron and tin ore, have been found here, 
the former in immense quantities. The tin ore is considered the first 
ever discovered in the United States, and was found by Dr. Jackson, 
state geologist. Ellis river, the only stream of note, waters the town, in 
addition to which are several brooks and rivuh-ts. The view here given 
is of (loodrich i''alls with the old Imnber-nnll on the luain road from 
Jackson to Bartlett, about two miles from Jackson City, at the junction 
of the two branches of Ellis river. The height of the rock at the right, 
from the water, is eighty feet. There is a large circidar ])ool below the 
fdl. the ^^•at<■r of which is of great depth. When the river is full, the 
water pom's a broad, beautiful sheet over the dam, covering the rocks, 



NEW IIAMrSIIIllE TOWN OF JACKSOM. 



-■,'^r, 



and throwiiit,' ii|) clouds o( ^^|iray, sonietunes to ilio li<"ic;lit of diii' liiui- 
drvd fcrt, and r\liibitiiig a bcauTiful rainbow. A new mill is in cMnr>i' 




of erection just in rear of the hiijh rock upon the right. One of the 
|)rincipal thoroughfares to the far-famed White Hills leads through this 
rown ; and the traveller, as he passes along, cannot but be interested as 
lir beliolds the be uitiful scenery with which the locality abounds. Jack- 
son lias bur one village, usually called "The Corner," — sometimes 
familiarlv '•.lacksdn C'itv,"" — where a half-dozen houses cannot lie found 
in a half a mile; at inie of which, passengers coming up from Conway 
and down from the Glen House, destined to the Crawford House, meet 
and share the noon-day hospitalities of "mine host." There are two 
churches — Free-will Baptist, and a Protestant Union honse; eight school 
districts, and one post-office : also, two saw-mills, and one grist-mill. 
Population, "!89; valuation, $111,187. 



536 HISTORY AND DESCrUPTIOX OF XEW ENGLAND. 

Jaffrev, ill the eastern division of Cheshire county, adjoins Peterbor- 
ough, and is forty-six miles from Concord. This town was granted bv 
the Masonian proprietors to forty persons in 1749, and the first jierma- 
nent settlemein was made, in 1758, by a Mr. Grout and Jolni Davison. 
In 17o3 Richard Peabody, iMoses Stickney, and others arrived, and re- 
mained some two or three years. l>ut not meeting with their anticipated 
success, they left for more promising fields of labor. Jaffrey was incor- 
porated in 1773, receiving its name from George Jafl'rey, of Portsmouth, 
one of the JMasonian proprietors. Previous to this it was known as 
New Monadnock, or INIonadnock Number '2. 

The first public meeting, sunnnoned by Jonathan Stanley, was holden 
September 14, 1773. On the 28th of the same month an adjourned 
meeting was held, at w-hich a committee, consisting of Captain Jona- 
than Stanley, Alexander McNeil, and James Callwell, were appointed to 
procure the services of a minister. The next year, April "26. 1774, it 
was decided to " build a meeting-house on the common near the centre 
of the town, this and the ensuing year," and at a sitbsequent meeting, 
held July 6, it was " Resolved, that the house shall be 60 feet by 45, posts 
27 feet ; that there shall be a porch at each end of the house ; and that 
the house shall be raised by the middle of June, 1775, and be finished 
by the first of June, 1776." It is a rather singular fact, that the frame 
of this house is asserted to have been raised on the memorable 17th of 
June, 1775, and that those engaged in its erection heard tii(> report of 
the cannon discharged at Bunker Hill.i The edifice was not completed 
for many years, doubtless owing to the unsettled state of things pro- 
duced by war, for which reason also pulpit ministrations were of unfre- 
(juent occurrence until 1780, notwithstanding money was aimually 
raised for the su|)port of the gospel. There was no regularly settled 
minister till 1782, though many names of clergymen appear on the 
records. Rev. Laban Ainsworth was unanimously called " to the work 
of the gospel ministry in this tin\ n." July 8, 1782, and was ordained 
pastor of the Conn-regational church, December 10th following, and 
contimu'd alone in ihe work for nearly half a century. Since 1830 the 
active duties have been performed by a junior pastor. Mr. Ainsworth 
died i\Iarch 17, 1858, aged one hundred years, seven months, and twen- 
ty-eight days. A Baptist Church was established here January 3, 1814. 
Among the eminent men who have claimed nativity here is Hon. Joel 
Parker, for many years chief justice of the state, now Royall professor 
of law in Harvard College. 

Jaffrey is uneven in its surface ; but has numerous meadows and rich 

' This mteting-housL' is now usuil for civil iustcad of ecclesiastical purposes. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE — TOWN OF JEFFERSON. 537 

pasture, which rondor it well rxdaprcd to thi- raising of cattle. The 
Grand Monadnock niountaiii is principally situated in the luirthwest 
part of the town. The diredioii of the ridge runs northeast and south- 
west ; and it is ahout live miles long from north to south, and three 
miles from east to wi'st. Its height, according to tht> observations of 
Professor Dana, in 1^1(3, is 3,450 feet above the level of the sea. its 
component parts being tale, mica, and slate, distinctly stratified. Sev- 
eral minerals are found on and around it. Viewed at a distance of 
four or the miles, its summit appears of a globular shape, bereft of those 
steep rocks antl mural preci]iices conmion to granitic mountains. A 
very extensive view, rural and beautiful, is obtainable from its top. No 
less than thirty collections of fresh water, some of such ample dimen- 
sions as to contain islands of eight or ten acres, are to be seen, seem- 
ingly clustering around its very base. This mountain was, many years 
since, covered with a large growth of evergre(>ns ; but by repeated 
fires it now presents, at a distance, a perfectly barren appearance. On 
ascending, however, there may be found plats of earth sufficient for the 
growth of the blueberry and cranberry, as well as a variety of shrubs. 
Innumerable streams of water issue from the mountain, some of whii-h 
discharge themselves into the Connecticut, vvhili' others form the head 
waters of the C'ontoocook ri\'er. The larg<'st stream rises about one 
hundred rods from the siuumit, ilescending in a southeast direction. 
The Monadnock mineral spring, which is slightly impregnated with 
carbonate of iron and sulphate of soda, is about a mile and a half to the 
southeast of the mountain. Yellow ochre is found at the mouth of the 
spring. There are several ponds, out of three of which issue stnvuus 
sufficient to i-arry mills. In the largest of these ponds, which is four 
hundred rods long and one hmiilred and forty wide, is an island i>f 
about ten acres. 

Jaffi-ey has three villages, bearing the names of .Tafi'rey, East Jaffi-ey, 
and Prescott, at the two former of which are post-olilces ; four churches 
— two Congregational, one Baptist, and one Universalist ; thirteen 
school districts, and Melville Academy: alst), the Monadnock Bank,' 
with a capital of iJioO.OOO: four stores: tw(.) cotton mills, having a 
combined capital of ,^3I).()()0 : two tanma-ies, and a manufactory 
of pails and other wooden ware. Population, 1,497 ; valuiition, 
$643,516. 

Jefferson, in Coils county, adjoining Lancaster, is ninety-eight miles 
from Concord. Dartmouth was its first name, under which it was 
granted October 3, 17(i5. to .lohn (iofle: antl granted again June "-^b. 
1772, to Mark IT. Wentw(.)rth and others. The settlement was bei;ini. 



538 HISTORY AXD DESCRIPTION OF XEW KXGLAXD. 

about the year 1773, by Colonel Joseph Wiiipple, Samuel Hart, and 
others. In December, 1796, it was incorporated bv the New Hampshire 
legislature, receiving its present name in honor of the illustrious Jef- 
ferson. Colonel Whipple was a man of considerable notoriety in his 
day, and a very extensive landholder. His name is mentioned, even at 
the present time, with pride and veneration ; for although very exact in 
hi.s dealings with his neighbors, paying and receiving pay to the smallest 
fraction, he was kind and attentive to the settlers, watching after their 
welfare and interests with a fatherly solicitude. During the Revolu- 
tionary war, a party of Indians, under the authority of the English, 
were admitted to the Colonel's house as usual, and made him a pris- 
oner before he was aware of their intention. He made no objection to 
accompany them ; but said they must wait till he procured some 
articles of apparel for his journey. Telling Mrs. Hight, his housekeeper, 
to entertain the Indians with some articles of curious mechanism in the 
house, he conti'ivcd, while their attention was so occupied, to make his 
escape from his bedroom window. Going directly to a field where 
some men were at work, he ordered each man to seize a stake from the 
fence, and shoulder it as he would a gun ; and thus reinforced, he again 
presented himself before the Indians who were in pursuit of him. The 
enemy, seeing him at a distance, as they imagined, at the head of a 
company of armed men, hurriedly seized what plunder they could lay 
their hands on, and fled. Mr. Ciotham, one of the family, was coming 
to the house when the Indians arrested Colonel Whi])])le, but saw them 
in time to make his escape. While crossing the river on a log he was 
fired upon, but was not injured. 

Jeff'erson is quite hilly, but the gently rising slopes are cultivated to 
their summits, producing wheat, rye, barley, and oats in abundance. 
There is excellent grazing land on the higher hills, pasturing large flocks 
of cattle and sheep. A more beautiful pastoral scene cannot be im- 
agined than that presented to the traveller as he ascends Cherry Moun- 
tain. Before him lies the town of Jefferson, in all its loveliness. Upon 
all the green slopes are flourishing fields of grain. Here and there, in the 
([uiet valleys, or sheltered by overhanging cliffs, are snug farm-houses 
amid scores of outhouses ; and scattered among all, and giving anima- 
tion to the picture, are the "cattle upon a thousand hills." Mount 
Pliny and Cherry mountain are the highest elevations. John's and 
Israel's rivers i supply abundance of water. Pondicherry bay is two 
hundred rods long and one hundred wide. Jefferson has a Baptist 

' The names of these rivere were derived from two brothers, — John and Israel 
Gillies. — will) Imiiteil beaver and Other animals in the vicinity, prior to the settlement 
of this part of the cotintrv. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE — TOWN OP KEEXE. 5:39 

( liurch, seven scliool districts, uiid two post-olFiees — Jeflersoii and 
Jert'erson jVIills ; also, two mills uiid one store. Population, (3:29 ; valu- 
ation, $170,340. 

Keexe, in the central part of Cheshire county, fifty-five miles from 
Concord, is the shire town, and was first settled under the authority of 
Massachusetts. Jeremiah Hall, Daniel Hoar, 8eth Heaton, Elisha 
Root, Nathaniel Rockwood, Josiah Fisher, William Pufler, and others 
from Massachusetts, settled in September, 1734, but did not reside here 
permanently. The first who attempted to pass the winter in Keene 
were Nathan Blake, Setli Heaton, and William Smeed, who, encoun- 
tering a variety of hardships, left before the winter expired, returning 
next season. At this time the line between New Hampshire and Mas- 
sachusetts had not been run, nor its direction ascertained, and it was 
generally supposed the valley of the Ashuelot would fall within the boun- 
daries of the latter. The town was then called Upper Ashuelot, which 
means, in the Indian language, " a collection of many waters." Upper 
Ashuelot was a frontier settlement, in the bosom of the wilderness, and 
was much exposed to Indian assaults, its nearest neighbor being North- 
field, Mass., twenty miles distant, while Winchester (Lower Ashuelot), 
though first granted, did not contain any inhabitants, or, at most, two 
or three. The town was laid out into lots, fifty-four being on Main 
street, — twenty-seven on each side, — which were one hundred and sixty 
rods long, and eight rods front ; and in 1736 the proprietors voted to 
erect a meeting-house at the south end of Main street, forty feet long, 
thirty-five feet wide, and twenty feet stud, which was to be finished by 
the 26th of June, 1737. In 1738 Jacob Bacon was settled as minister. 
The same year a fort was erected for protection from the Indians, who, 
in 1745, killed Josiah Fisher. In 1746, the inhabitants becoming 
alarmed, increased vigilance and circumspection were observed in their 
movements. On the 23d of April the town was attacked, and all that 
could took refuge in the fort. There were several attending to their 
cattle, however, and they encountered the Indians, who had rushed into 
the street, filling the air with their horrid yells. Mrs. McKenny, an 
aged woman, and John Bnllard, were killed; Mrs. Clark had a narrow 
escape, having been pursued by an Indian, whom she succeeded in out- 
running ; and Nathan Blake was taken prisoner and carried to Canada, 
where he remained two years. The Indians attacked the fort on all 
sides, but relief soon after an-iving from Swanzey, the savages decamped, 
burning, however, all the houses, and capturing a number of the cattle. 
The inhabitants remained in the fort until March or April, 1747, and 
then abandoned the settlement. 



540 HISTORY AXD DESCRIPTIOX OF NEW EXGLAXD. 

Ill 17-jO or 17-3:2 tlic inhabitanrs again rctunird tn the town, and, in 
17o3, it waj- incorporated under the name of Keene, wiiicli was given in 
lionor of an Engli:sh nobleman, perhaps Sir Benjamin Keene, Britir^h 
minister at Spain, and contemporary with Governor Wentworth, who 
granted the charter. Between the years 1754 and 175-5 several parties 
of Indians visited the town, but their depredations were of no great 
magnitude. Tiiey captured one man, Benjamin Twichell, whom they 
carried to Quebec, and who died on his return to Boston. 

Keene, in the Revolution, exhibited a spirit of wisdom, courage, and 
patriotism in her supplies of men and means, and in the adoption of 
the true remedies to aid in the sujiport of the war. As soon as news 
reached the town of the battle of Lexington, measures were taken to 
raise a company, which started the next morning, commanded by 
Captain Wyman, for Concord. Some parties were overzealous in the 
cause, and would have committed assaults on several tories, who were 
retained as prisoners, but for the timely efforts of some of the more 
iutmane and forbearing of the inhabitants. Several disturbances oc- 
curred in 1782, regarding the settlement of the divisional line between 
New Hampshire and Vermont, which at last were amicably settled. 
Two farms were annexed to Keene from Swanzey, December 10, 1812. 

The town of Keene is a proud little spot, and has been the residence 
of many distinguished characters, among whom may be mentioned 
Judge Daniel Newcomb ; Peleg Sprague, member of congress; the two 
(xovernors Dinsmoor, father and son ; General James Wilson, and his 
late father, members of congress; Joel Parker, ibr many vears tlie able, 
upright, and highly esteemed chief justice of New Ham])shirc, now 
Royall professor of law in Harvard College; Levi Chamberlain, the 
last whig candidate for governor, a man as much beloved for his 
friendly and social qualities as respected for his eloquence in the 
senate and at the bar ; John Prentiss, the veteran editor of the Keene 
Sentinel, whicli journal, started by him in 1799, is third in seniority 
of all the newspapers extant in New Hampshire; and the reverend and 
learned Dr. Barstow, of whom tlie five last named, and the younger 
Dinsmoor, still survive. On tiie east side of Main street there for- 
merly stood a neat little public-house, called " Shurtlitl''s Hotel," kept 
by Benoni SlinrtlJH', whose wife was a sister of the famous Thomas 
O. Seltridge of Boston, and whose three or four daughters were genteel, 
sprightly, intelligent young ladies, ambitious of display and of setting 
a rich and elegant table. Here a select few, the elite of the New 
Hampshire bar, were wont to resort during the sitting of the court. 
In 1815 the company consisted of the chief justice, Jeremiah Smith, 
Daniel Webster, George Baxter Uphain. Judge Ellis, Judo:e Hubbard 



NEW HAJirSHIRE TOWN OF KEENE. 



541 



of Vermont, Ro2;cr Vose of Walpole, and Levi Chamberlain and liis 
elder brother, John C. Chamberlain. The feast of fat things which came 
out of the month when this company wore seated at tlie table was 
more exhilarating than that which wcntm; together they funiislied a 
rich repast for body and soul. For comic wit, Vose had no superior 
in New England; for refined intellectual acumen, Judge Smith was nut 
surpassed. No matter where placed, — on the bench, in the halls of leg- 
islation, in a popular assembly, or in a company of young ladies, he 

was sure to be first, imparting pleasure and instruction to each, and 
commanding the admiration of all. Webster was graceful and di<Tni- 
fied in manner, uttering but few words, but those always forcible. 

It is deserving of mention, that a female high school was establisli(>d 
here by Miss Fiske about the year 1810, and was continued for twenty 
or thirty years with great success and credit to herself and to her 
numerous pupils far and near. Governor Washburn, in his history of 
Leicester Academy, speaking of the first female teacher of that institu- 
tion. Miss Holmes, a you)ig lady of distinguished learning, abilitv, and 
accomplishments, says : " She was educated at that excellent school 
whose reputation was so long sustained, and at which so many of tlie 






.^f 




- Central f^quare. 



best trained minds of New England were educated — Miss Fi; 
Keene." Miss Fiske, 

VOL. I. 



in lu'r quiet, unobtrusive employment, 
46 



Kc s ol 
accom- 



o42 



llISTiiKY AND DESCRIPTIiiX OF XEW E.\GI..\Xr>. 



])lislicd iiiiich fur llif pnlilic irood, and (Icscrvcdly w ill licr memory he 
ciishriiR'd in muuv grateful hearts, and, let it be hoped, her example 
emulated. 

Keene is eonneeted ^vith Boston by the Cheshire Railroad, over \vliieli 
there is a great amount of trav<'l, to Saratoga Springs, Canada, and the 
West. Tt is also eonneeted liy the Ashttelot Railroad with Springlield 
antl New ^'ork. 'L'he surfaee of the town is generally level or moder- 
ately swelling, and the soil is good. There is coni?iderable flat or valley 
land, whieli is divided nearly ('(pially by the Ashuelot river; presenting, 
variegated as ir is by agrieultiu-e, a jileasing prospect to the traveller. 
The Ashuelot river has its soiu'ce in a pond in Washington. Keene has 
l)een ealled one of the '-prettiest villages'" in New England. The 
principal village is situated on an extensive ])lain, supposed by many 
to have been the bed of a lake. The width and uniform level of 
its streets ; its smooth, dry side-walks ; the abundance of beautiful shade 
trees, behind which, half hidden, many beautiful residences are seen; the 
magnifu-ent gardens, ornamented with every variety of ilower; its lartje 



^ - 




Via.lu<-t. of the Chesliiio Eiiilroad at South Kceiie. 



and \v(ll-eoiistrui-tcd hotels: its handsome stores and beautiful public 
biiildiuijs, and generally thrifty ai)i)earance, all render the village both 
pleasant and attractive. Keene is a ]ilace of large business. Its facili- 
ties for trade. o\\ inij in a sjreat measure to its favorable location in rela- 



NEW IIAiMPSIIIRE TOWN OF KEENE. 54'-i 

tion to the adjoining towns, are numerous, and secure to its mereantile 
interests valuable advantages. Our view of Keene is taken at a puiut 
looking a little west of north, embracing the Park in Central Square, and 
much of the business portion of the place. 

There are many interesting objects in and about this town. A work- 
of which the j)eople have reason to be proud is the viadui-t over a 
branch of Ashuelot river, near South Keene station, as seen in the en- 
graving. It is about seventy-tive feet wide and forty-five feet high, and 
is a beautiful specimen of granite masonry. It cost about §20,000. 
Through the arch, in the distance, is seen J. A. Fay and Com])any's 
machine-shop, 160 feet long by forty wide, and built of brick, where are 
made planing, mortising, sash, sticking, moulding, and various other 
machines, some of which are sent to nearly every quarter of the world. 
The patent mortising machine received a premium at the World's Fair 
in London. Another place of interest is Beaver Brook falls, a very 
beautiful and romantic spot about two miles north of Kecni'. The 
water falls about forty feet over what appears to l>e a natural Hight of 
steps into a basin, partly inclosed by rocks, in which are caught some 
very large trout. There are many other spots where fish are eajitureil 
in large numbers. 

Tiiere are in Keene five church edifices — Congregational, Unitarian, 
Baptist, Methodist, and Roman Catholic ; a town hall, one of the largest 
and best in the state ; a very popular high school, in which the four vil- 
lage schools have united, under an act which provides for a graduated 
system, by which the pupil ascends from the simplest rudiments to those 
higher branches usually taught in academies ; three large and commo- 
dious hotels, the CheshLi-e House being a noble structure, its rooms airy 
and convenient, and its general internal arrangements in full keeping 
with the inviting appearance of its external form; three banks, — the 
Cheshire, the Ashuelot, and the Cheshire County, — with a combined 
capital of ^300,000 ; the Provident Institution for Savings ; two fire 
insurance companies, thirteen school districts, and one post-office : also, 
one flannel manufactory ; a large sash and blind factory, driven by a 
twenty-five horse power engine; several large establishments for the 
manufacture of clothing, one for the manufacture of hats and caps, an 
iron foundery, one steam saw-mill ; one machine-shop, belonging to the 
Cheshire Railroad, and one organ factory. Population, 3,392; valua- 
tion, $2,136,615. 

Kensington, Rockingham county, lying west of Hampton Falls, and 
forty miles from Concord, was settled at an early period, and was 
originally included in the limits of Hampton, from which it was incor- 



t'544 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

|)orated April 1, 1737. It is .strange, tiiougli ncvfrthcloss true, tliat it 
contained a larger jjopulatioii at tiie coninicnceiiieiit of the Revolution 
than it has at the present day. 

A Congregational ehnreli of sixty-four members was formed on the 
6lh of Oetobcr, 1737, over wliicii Rev. Jeremiah Fogg was ordained 
pastor. Mr. Fogg was a native of Hampton, and died December 1, 
1789, after a pastorate of fifty-two years. He was arraigned before a 
council on the January previous to his death for preaching Unitarian 
sentiments, of which the council expressed disapproval.' Rev. Naph- 
thali Siiaw, wlio had been a soldier in the Revolution, was the next 
pastor, from 1793 until 1813. 

The surface is quite level. John Tilton lives on the same fLirm that 
his ancestors purchased from tiie Indians more than two hundred years 
ago. There are no streams of any note, and the only body of water is 
a small pond, deep and muddy. The town contains one village ; two 
churches, one occupied by the Christians, and the other by the Congre- 
gationalists and Universalists; two school districts, and one post-office: 
also, one tannery, and one boot and shoe factory. Population, 700 ; 
valuation, $256,404. 

Kilkenny, in the southern division of Cocis county, is 126 miles from 
Concord, and contains 15,906 acres. It was granted June 4, 1774, to 
Jonathan Warner and others. It is a very poor township, with few 
features to make it a desirable habitation for civilized man. Kilkenny 
is in the form of a triangle surmounted by a parallelogram, many miles 
in length, but hardly a mile in width, and is rough and barren. Those 
who have taken up their abode here, — and they are few, — must be 
of that class who have a predilection for solitude : — whether it is sweet 
or not, they are the best judges. The greater part of the territory is 
usurped by two giants of nature — Pilot and Willard mountains, so 
named from an incident that happened to a dog and his master. 
Willard lost his way and wandered for three days on these mountains, 
on tiie east side of wiiich his camp was situated. Pilot saw that his 
master was in a strait, and set his sagacity to work to relieve him. 
Each day he set out on an exploring expedition, — as his master thought, 
in pursuit of game, — returning invariably towards evening. On the 
second or third day, Willard being nearly exhausted, followed his dog, 
wiio piloted him through the tortuous windings of tiie mountains to his 
camp. Certainly, for such disinterested friendslii]i Pilot desen^es to 
have his name liaiided down to amine posterity. These mountains 

' This church afterwards became Unitarian. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OP KINGSTON. 545 

have name fine raniis along thcii- base, anil, higlicr u]i, excellent grazing 
land. Population, 19 ; valuation, isi^jSOO. 

Kingston, Rockingham county, adjoins Hampstead on the ^vest, and 
is distant from Concord thirty-seven miles. It contains 12,188 acres, of 
which eight hundred are estimated to be water. Kingston was granted 
August 6, 1694, by Lieut.Governor Usher, to James Prescott, Ebenezer 
Webster, and others, belonging to Hampton. The chai'ter compre- 
hended the territory which now forms the towns of East Kingston, Dan- 
ville, and Sandown. A short time subsequent to the grant, garrison 
houses were ericted on the ])lain by direction of the proprietors, who 
commenced ])rcparing their lands for the purposes of agriculture. In 
consecjuencc of the dangers and perplexities of the succeeding hostilities 
they became discouraged, and many of them returned home within two 
years after the commencement of the settlement. The enterprise was 
renewed after the conclusion of the war, but the progress was very slow, 
and it was not till 1725 that matters began to look favorable. 

The Indians were exceedingly troublesome to the settlers, and several 
|)ersons fell victims to their barbarity. In 1707, Stephen and Jacol) 
(lilinan were ambushed between Kingston and Exeter, but fortunately 
succeeded in making their escape to the garrison, with the loss of 
their horses ; and in the same year, September 15th, a man named Henry 
Elkins was killed. In 1712, Stephen Oilman and El)enezer Stevens 
were wounded at Kingston, and the former taken and put to death. 
Jabez Colman and his son, while employed in their field, were killed 
September 7, 1724 ; and four children were taken at the same time, 
on(> of whom escaped, the othi'rs being afterwards redeemed. Many 
Indian relics, such as jasper and quartz arrow-heads, axes, gouges, and 
hammers, maile from various kinds of stones, as well as some old 
French coin, have been brought to light at ditTerent times, while 
preparing the land for seed. The first church, a Congregational, was 
gathered September 17, 1725, over which Rev. Ward Clark was or- 
dained pastor, at which time the church records commence, and give a 
list of the heads of families then here, eighty-one in all, among whom 
were Thomas, John, and Ebenezer Webster, Thomas Webster, Jr., and 
several 1iy the name of Sanborn. The year 1737 is memorable on 
account of an unusual mortality among the children of the town, from 
a disease similar to what is now tei-med croup, then called the " kanker 
(luinsey." About 1823 the academy was built, which afforded a 
valuable opportunity for quite a number of young men to prepare for 
college, who had not before had the means of doing so. The Hon. 
Josiah Bartlett and Major Ebenezer Stevens were distinguished resi- 
46* 



546 HISTORY AND DESCRirXIOX OF NEW ENGLAND. 

dents of (liis iown. Tlii^v bmli held high offifos of trust. The former 
was an eiiiiiii'iir plivsiciaii in Kingston, and acquired great reputation for 
skill in the treatment of the throat distemper, then quite prevalent and 
mortal. He was a strong and zealous supporter of American liberty, 
was for some time chief justice of the colony, was president of the state 
under the first constitution in 1790 and L791, and the first governor un- 
der the revised constitution in 1792—3. 

There are no high hills in Kingston; the (4reat and Rock Rimiiion 
are the ])rincipal. the former of which is a body of granite, extending 
over twenty or thirty acres, covered with soil, and having on its west 
side an abrupt descent of nearly one hundred feet to the plain. The 
soil of Kingston is generally of a fertile character. Bog-iron ore has 
been found, as well as red and yellow ochre. There are several ponds, 
the largest of which covers upward of three hundred acres, and has an 
island of ten or twelve acres, covered with wood. Country pond, lying 
partly in Newton, is two hundred acres in extent, and has also an 
island of some six or eight acres within its limits. Near the centre of 
the town is an extensive plain, the site of the principal village — 
Plainville ; besides which there is another, called by the same name as 
the town. 'J'here are three church edifices — Congregational, Meth- 
odist, and Universalist; six school districts, an academy, t\vo post- 
olfices — Kingston, and South Kingston: also, four stores, and three 
carriage factories. Population, 1.192 ; valuation, >j!41o.900. 

Laconia, Belknap county, twenty-seven miles from Concord, is 
beautifully inclosed by the waters of CJreat bay. Long bay, and Winne- 
pcsaukee river, which separate it from Meredith upon the north and 
west, and Gilford upon the east and soitth. It has an area of about 
10,000 acres, and was taken from iMeredith and incorporated July 
14, 185o. In form, this and the parent town resemble an open fan, 
of whii-h Laconia represents the handle. The surface is generally 
more even than that of Meredith, and all of it capable of cultivation. 
There are two villages, situated upon the Boston, Concord, and Mon- 
treal Railroad, the more southerly one being still called Meredith 
Bridge, and the other Lake Village, parts of both of them being in Gil- 
ford. The Laconia side of Meredith Bridge contains about eight hun- 
(hi'd iiihai)itants; a fine water power, improved by one cotton and two 
woollen factories ; eleven stores of various descriptions, an establishment 
for manufacturing railroad cars, a pail factory, a sash and blind factory, 
and a public-house ; also, two printing-offices, each of which issues a 
weekly newspaper; the Belknap County Bank, with a capital of -SSO.OOO; 
" Gilford post-oliiee ; " and a Congregational meeting-house. Mere- 



NEW IIAJIPSIIIRE TOWN OP LANCASTER. 547 

(lith Brklge is a place of £j;rnat resort in snmnicr on aoconnt of its 
pleasant sitnaTion, and its rich and abuiulant sccncrv. Lake VilhiLTc. 
one ami a half inik's north on the river, contains, in the Laconia part of 
it, about six hnndred inhaltifants, one store, two woollen yarn factories, 
a saw-mill, grist-mill, and wheelwright's shop. The post-oiiice accommo- 
dations for this village are at Gilford. The situation of the town is \v<'ll 
calculated for extensive business, being approached both by railroad 
and steam navigation, and it contains much capital and enterprise. 
There are six school districts, enjoying the privileges of school during 
a part of the year. Upon the incorporation of the town, eleven twenty- 
fonrth parts of the valuation of flic former town were assigned to La- 
conia, making $522,036. Population about 1,400. 

Lancaster, the shire town of Cons county, about one hundred and 
forty miles from Concortl, and one hundred and thirty from Portland by 
the Grand Trunk Railway, contains 2o,4S0 acres. It was gratited by 
(lovernor Benning Wentwcn-th to Captain David Page ^ and sixty-nine 
others, being incorporated at the same time. In .June of that year, the 
son of Captain Page marked a path from Haverhill, through the woods, 
a distance of forty-eight miles, by which the Captain, togctlim- with 
Edward Bucknam and Emmons Stockwell and their families, all being 
of Petersham, Mass., traced their way to this place in September follow- 
ing. At that time there was not an inhabitant on the whole route from 
Haverhill, nor a settlement near them, nor a grist-mill within a hundred 
miles. The troubles of the Revolutionary war thinned out the small 
|)opulation, — all the inhabitants above Captain StockweU's place leav- 
ing for greater security. Stockwell, however, by his courage and firm- 
ness, induced some to remtiin, and, after the war, the progress of the 
settlement revived. The first church was organized in July, 1794, over 
which Rev. Joseph Willard was pastor from September of that year 
until 1822. The town, in 1794, contained thirty-six families. A tract 
called B.arker's Location was annexed to I/ancastcr, June 22, 1819; and 
a portion of Kilkenny was annexed December 15, 1842. 

Lancaster has an exceedingly picturesque situation, lying near some 
mountains, its own surface being pretty level. Three eminences are in 
the south part, called Martin Meadow hills. Along the Connecticut 
and at the mouth of Israel's river there are some tracts of alluvial land, 
being nearly three fourths of a mile wide on the former, and even larger 
at the latter. The land in the southeast part lies too high up the moun- 

' The father of Mr. Page was an Eiiglijliman, and the first settler of Lunenbni'g, 
Mass. 



•'548 HISTORY AXD DESCEIPTIOX OF XEW EXGLAXD. 

tains ior cTiltivatioii. Water is supplied by tlie Connecticut antl Israel's 
river, and i)y several large brooks. A bridge has been thrown across the 
latter river, and the natural advantages of the water power are rendered 
more valuable by the erection of three dams. Martin-meadow pond, 
covering one hundred and lil'ty acres, and Little pond, of forty acres, arc 
the largest collections of w ater. 

The principal village is built upon a large plain, a mile east from ttie 
Connecticut river, and in it, at the northerly end of the main street, 
which extends both ways from the bridge over Israel's river, arc the coiat- 
house, jail, and elegant new hotel. The Congregationalists, Methodists, 
and Unitarians have each a house of worship; and there are fourteen 
.school districts, one academy, and one post-office; as well as one grist-mill, 
eight saw-mills, one carding and cloth-dressing mill, one sash and blind 
factory, one iron foundery, and one bank (capital $50,00(1). 'I'lie 
amount of capital invested in trade and manufactures is estimated at 
from $loO,000 to $200,000. Population, 1,559; valuation, $471,60:2. 

Laxdaff, in the norThwestern jiart of Grafton coiuity, ninety miles 
from Concord, contains '29,200 acres, and was granted to James Averv 
and others, January 3, 1704. These grantees failed to fulfil the condi- 
tions of the charter, and it was regranted to Dartmouth College. After 
the Revolution, however, the parties to whom the first grant was made, 
set up a claim to the land; and, after one or two hearings before the 
pro|)er courts, the case was decided in their favor. This decision put 
Dartmouth College, — under the patronage of which the settlement was 
commenced, and which erected mills, opened roads, and cleared lands, — 
to considerable k)ss, which was made up, however, in a measure, by 
subsequent grants. The first church organized was a Baptist, in 1788. 

Landafl' has a broken surface, birt the land is generally good for 
grazing. There arc three eminences of note, called Landafi' mountain, 
Cobble hill, and Bald hill, the former lying in the eastern part, and the 
latter in the west. The soil is very fertile in some parts of the town- 
ship, and in its cultivation the people are principally engaged. Wild 
Ammonoosuc and Great Ammonoosue rivers furnish an abundance of 
water. There are two church edifices — Free-will Baptist and Meth- 
odist; nine school districts, and two post-oflices — Landaff and East 
Landatl: also, nine saw-mills and three starch factories. Large quan- 
tities of maple sugar are ammally manufactured. ]\)pulation, 948; 
valuation, 6286,234. 

Laxodox, the southwestern corner town o( SnHi\an county, fifty 
miles from Concord, was incorporated Jaimary 11, 1737, and named 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF LEBANON. 549 

from Governor John Langdon, of Revolutionary fame. Seth Walker 
commenced the settlement in 1773, and was followed, the year after, by 
Nathaniel Rice and Jonathan Willard. The lirst church was a Con- 
gregational, which was organized November 8, 1792. Among the names 
of the early preachers were those of Lazel, Hartwell, Spaulding, and Taft, 
the latter of whom did most of the preaching from 1795 to 1803, when 
he turned politician, and was chosen representative to the general court. 
For many years a siiarp conflict ensued in religious matters, by reason 
of the people being partly Universalists and in part Congregationalists. 
Ill 1804, Abner Kneeland, afterwards the notorious infidel preacher, was 
invited to settle as pastor, in opposition to a strong remonstrance by a 
minority of the church. In 1810 he was chosen representative ; in 
1811 he left to settle over tiie first Universahst society in Charlestown, 
Mass. The church clerk moved to the west and carried off" the records, 
with which also the visible organization of the church, for many years, 
disappeared. The town was found, by all the ministers who visited it, 
to be truly missionary ground. Several were reluctant to settle, but 
persevered in their efforts to reform vice and intemperance; and it is 
said that a very marked imj)rovement in the morals of the place is 
visible. 

The soil is suitable for agricultural purposes, and for the raising of 
stock. Mucii attention is jjaid to the manufacture of Ijutter and clii'cse, 
and flax is not a small item in the ]iroductions of the town. Langdon 
is watered by a branch of Cold river, which passes southwest through 
its whole extent. The princi|)al village is three miles east of Connecti- 
cut river and six from Bellows Falls. There are two religious soi'ie- 
ties here — • Congregational and Universalist, botii of which have churc-h 
edifices; six school districts, one post-office, and vnc store. Population, 
575; valuation, -§326,742. 

Lebanon lies on the Connecticut river, in the western part of CJrafton 
county, forty-nine miles from Concord. It was brought to the notice of 
the first settlers during the French and Indian wars; and in 1760, when 
tranquillity ensued through the conquest of Canada, fifty-two indi- 
viduals, belonging principally to Lebanon and Mansfield, Coini., asso- 
ciated themselves into a company and obtained a charter of this town, 
July 4, 1760, from Governor Beiuiing Wentworth. The charter was 
granted vmder the usual conditions, and the township was to be six 
miles square. The first meeting of the proprietors was held at Mans- 
field, October 6, 1761, when a committee was appointed to lay out the 
lots and road immediately; and, to encourage a speedy settlement, the 
|)roprietors voted, that those of their immber who shall settle upon their 



;")0 HISTORY AXD DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

lands Avitliiii the term often years shall have the privilege of ciilrivatiii« 
and improving such part of the interval as shall best suit them. Jn 
1763 a horse road was comjjleted from Charlcstown, and the same year 
a saw-mill was built. A grist-mill was built in 1764, on the site now 
()eenj)ied by Osgood's mills. 

The pr()|)rietors came up during the summer and cleared the lands, 
and in the winter returned to their former homes. The first settlements 
were begun on the river, and gradually extended eastward. The winter 
of 1762 was passed here by three men, for the first time, the names of 
whom were Levi Hyde, Samuel Esterbrooks, and William Dana. Wil- 
liam Downer, with his wife and eight children, Oliver Davidson, Elijah 
Di^wey, and James Jones, arrived in 1763 ; Nathaniel Porter, Asa Kil- 
l)ourne, Samuel Meacham, Joseph and Jonathan Dana, Huckins Storrs, 
Silas Waterman, Jedediah Hibbard, Charles Hill, John Wheatley, Jesse 
Cook, Zalmon Aspenwall, Joseph Wood, James Hartshorn, and Nathan- 
iel Storrs, arrived betw"een the years 1763 and 1767. The records com- 
mence on the 13th of May, 1765, at which date the following appears : 
" Qneary : Whither we will have a minister in the town this sunnner. or 
will not ? Voted in the affirmative. Voted the select men take it upon 
themselves to seek quarters for the minister and provide for his accom- 
modation." There cotild not have been more than twenty families here 
at this time. In 1767 it was voted tt) have a school established; and 
in July the next year it was resolved to have a meeting-house, and to 
locate it on a lot near the old burying-ground, which was in the western 
part of the town ; but the house was not erected till 1772. A church 
was organized in September, 1768, over which Rev. Isaiah Potter was 
pastor from 1772 until his death in 1817. He was an athletic man of 
over six feet, and could mow, it is said, for a half day without whetting 
his scythe, bringing down the grass by sheer strength. He was chap- 
lain to one of the New Hampshire regiments in the Revolution. Walk- 
ing round the camp one day, he saw two men tugging to mount a can- 
non upon the carriage. Pushing the men aside and laving hold of the 
trnimions, he raised the piece alone, and quietly walked away. One of 
the men, vexed and astonished, used some profane language. Learning, 
however, that the man who had performed such a feat was a chaplain, 
he hastened after him, and, with hat in hand, made humble acknowl- 
edgments for his profanity. One of his congregation once complained 
that his sermons were too short. IVfr. Potter asked him (it was before 
churches were warmed by stoves), " If a short sermon in a cold day 
would not do, if it was a good one?" — •• Certainly," replied the other, 
•' if it is a good one." — " But, if it is a poor one, it certainly ought to be 
short," rejoined Mr. Potter. Prior to this they held meetings in a barn. 



NEW IIAJIPSIirUE TOWN OF LEE. "wl 

In Jiilv, 177-"), a r-ommitteo of safety was appoiiid^l. Lebanon was 
(Hie of tlie sixteen towns which t^ave in tiieir aUeyianee to Vennont, 
and, Noveniiier 2><, 1777, tiie following appears on the records: 
'' Voted that the select men should not coin])ly A\ith the warrant sent 
from the assembly at Exeter, to elect a counsellor and representative, 
and that the town will vindicate the select men in their non-coiupliaiice." 
Lebanon sent a rejircsentative to the Vermont legislature in 177>^, an<l 
did not return to her allegiance to New Hampshire till 17^(3, at which 
time, in consequence of not having paid taxes, it was "voted to raise 
X1,000 in order to pay arrearage taxes to the state of New Hampshire." 
At the meeting held in Atigust, 1779, it was " Voted that the town pm-- 
chase three gallons of ritiii for those who attend at the raising of the 
bridge over the Mascoma, near C'apt. Turners." This was the only 
vote passed. We find nothing further of interest in the records. 

Lebanon has an undulating surface, and some rich intervals along the 
Connectictrt and Mascomy rivers. The soil is alluvial and very produc- 
tive. The Connecticut and Mascomy rivers sup])ly abundance of water, 
and afford many excellent mill seats. The former has falls, which have 
been rendered more valuable by locks and canals. Lead and iron ore, 
and other minerals, have been found here. The prinei]ial village, called 
Lebanon, is built upon a plain, which lies in the central part, and has 
many tasty private residences, and a few good public buildings. There 
are two other villagi's, called East and West Lebanon, each of which, 
as well as Lebanon, has a post-ollice. There are four church edillces — 
two Congregational, one Metln)dist, and one T^niversalist ; the Tilden I'e- 
male Aeadeniy, and fifteen school districts : also, a large machine-shop, an 
iron foundery, a sash, door, l)lind, and furniture manufactory, a carriage 
manufactory, a large tannery, a scythe and rake factory, two saw-mills, 
two grist-mills, an establishment for the manufacture of furniture 
for schools and public buildings, and one bank, with a ca]iitai of 
SIOO.OOO. The Northern Railroad passes through the town. l\ipu- 
lation, 2,lo6; valuation, •sL00(),104. 

Lee, in the southern part of StratTord county, thirty-one miles from 
Concord, was formerly a part of Durham, from which it was detached 
and incorporateil January 17, 17(i(), being "in the upjier or western 
end of the town of Durham." It was originally a ])art of Dover, as 
was Durham, and was settled before 1700, — Wadleigh's Falls being 
occupied as early as 1657. The first meeting-house in Lee stood by 
the old burial-ground, still existing on the " mast road," near the resi- 
dence of Mrs. Judge Smith. A Congregational church was formetl 
here, but became; extinct many years ago. A Baptist church, and a 



bo:i HISTORY AXD DESCRIPTIOX OF NEW EXGLAXD. 

Christian Baptist, retain tlicir existence, and worsliip lias been main- 
tained by tlie Congregationalists for several years at Lee Hill. 

Lee suflercd, with its mother town, in the Indian wars. Among the 
traditions is one of a Miss Randall, who was betrothed to Thomas 
Chesley of Oyst^'r River, and was about to be married. She was 
returning from Oyster River falls one day with a party of friends, when 
they were surprised by Indians. She tried to escape, and ran towards 
a barn .standing near, for refuge ; but was shot just as she was going 
into it, and fell across a stone, where she soon bled to death. The 
stone is preserved ; and it is said, that, when a heavy rain falls upon it. 
her blood-stains can be clearly seen. Mr. Chesley devoted himself to 
fighting the savages. He took his gun immediately and started ; and, 
coming up with a party of twelve, he did not leave them until eleven 
liad fallen under his shot. 

Wheelwright's pond was also the scene of a bloody fight. Two 
scouting companies, under Captains Floyd and Wiswall, on the 6tli of 
July, 1690, discovered an Indian track, which they followed till they 
came up during the evening by this pond. A contest began. The 
men of the town, hearing the firing, hastened to the spot, and the 
fight continued for hours. Wiswall and his lieutenant, Flagg, witii 
twelve more, were killed, and others were wounded. Floyd continued 
the fight after Wiswall's death till his men, weakened by losses and 
exhaustion, were forced to draw oil". The enemy retreated at the same 
time, carrying off their dead. Seven wounded men were found alive 
the next day, when Captain Convers went to bury the dead. 

Lee has 11,625 acres, three hundred of which are water. Tiie 
surface is nearly level, there being but one considerable eminence, 
called Lee hill. Wheelwright's pond, covering about 165 acres, lies in 
the north part of the town, and is the principal source of Oyster river. 
Lamprey river enters from the northeast corner of Epping, passing 
through into Durham. Liitle, North, and Oyster rivers water the 
other portions of Lee. Tlie soil is generally hard, and requires much 
cultivation to make it productive; but it is fertile in some places. The 
inhabitants are for the most part engaged in agriculture. There are in 
Lee two villages — Lee Hill and Wadleigh's Falls, each place having 
a post-efllce; two church edifices — Congregational and Baptist ; and 
seven school districts : also, six saw-mills, engaged in the manufacture 
of lK)ards, clapboards, and shingles ; and three grist-mills. Population, 
862; valuation, $o:3'J,069. 

Lempster, Sullivan countv, forty miles from Concord, was granted 
by charter, October 5, 1761, to Richard Sparrow and sixty-one others, 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF LINCOLN. SoS 

and was settled, by emigraiiTs from Connecticut, about the year 1770. 
A Congregational ehurch with seven male members was formed 
November 13, 17S1, over which Rev. Elias Fisher was pastor from 
September 25, 1787, until liis death. May 22, 1831. A meeting-house 
was built, after a long trial to fix on the spot, in 1794. After about 
thirty years, it was removed to the principal village. The Congrega- 
tionalists, not being permitted to occupy it the whole time, built a new 
house, on which occasion many united with the Methodists, who built 
another house. Tlie surface is undulating, excepting in the eastern 
jiart, where it is mountainous, it being the west border of the height of 
land between the Merrimack and tlie Connecticut. The soil is of a 
moist description, and is well suited to grass ; hence stock-raising, and 
the products of the dairy, form a large part of the agricultural interests 
of the place. Water is plentiful, though the streams supplying it 
are not very large ; they are a branch of Sugar river, and the south and 
west branches of Cold river. Sand pond, four hundred and twenty 
rods long and twenty wide, lies partly in Lemjister ; and Dodge's pond, 
of about fifty acres, lies near its centre. There are two villages — 
East Lempster and West Lempster ; three church edifices — Congre- 
gational, Methodist, and Universalist ; a high school ; nine school dis- 
tricts, with an average attendance of one hundred and ninety-five 
scholars ; and two post-offices — Lempster and East Lempster : also, a 
large tannery, and a boot and shoe manufactory. Population, 906 ; vaU 
nation, 8309,127. 

Lincoln, in the northeastern part of Grafton county, seventy miles 
from Concord, contains 32,4o6 acres, and was granted Jaimary 31, 
1764, to James Avery and others, but was not settled till several years 
after the Revolution. The earliest names on record were in 1802, when 
the following appear: Timothy Shattuck, Asa Oaks, Timothy Shat- 
tuck, Jr., Nathan Kinsman, Samuel Jones, Moses Wentworth, Paul 
Cheney, Aaron Jones, Joshua, Bphraim, and Stephen Kendall, Jere- 
miah and Joiiu Stuart, and David Sanger. The surface is mountain- 
ous, and the soil in many parts unfit for cultivation. There are many 
elevations, Kingsman's mountain being the highest. There are two 
large gulfs in the north part of the town, caused by an extraordinary 
discharge of water from the clouds in 1774. The numerous " slips," as 
tliey are termed, from the mountain, are exceedingly curious. They 
commence near its summit, and run to its base, forcing a passage 
through all obstructions. Tiiis town is much resorted to during the 
sttmmer season, for the purpose of viewing the scenery of the W^hite 
Mountains. Among the objects of interest is a very curious cavity 

VOL. I. 47 



554 



HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 



which the Pomiwewasset river has worn in its bed of .solid rock, known 
as the Bas^in. It is forty feet in diameter, and twenty-eight feet from 

the edge to the bottom of 
the water, which is usnally 
ten or twelve feet deep. 
The water, which, as it 
comes over the precipice, 
makes a beautiful cascade, 
\\ hite with foam, and fails 
nito the side of the basin, 
has suflicient force to make 
several circuits befoi-e pass- 
ing out, in doing which, it 
has, by the attrition of the 
rocks carried around, given 
the cavity its smootii, cir- 
cular form. The bottom 
Is strewn with round rocks. 
The outlet of the basin has 
a form similar to the hu- 
man leg and foot. Another 
place of interest is " The 
Flume." This is near the 
top of an inclined, smooth, 
granite ledge, more than a hundred feet long and thirty wide. Over 
this runs a small stream, of varied width. Near the top of the ledge is 
the entry to the Flume. Solid walls, cleft by some convulsion of nature, 
some fifty feet in height, and twenty feet wide at the bottom, but grad- 
ually narrowing towards the top to ten or eleven feet, afford a passage 
to the little stream. The opposite sides of the walls show correspond- 
ing indentations. They are lined with a green moss, and the air is very 
damp and cool. A huge boulder, of several tons weight, precipitated 
from the top of the cliff, has caught, and hangs suspended about half-way 
down between the walls. An old pine, fallen across the chasm, has made 
a sort of bridge ; but is one presenting no great temptation to visitors. 
Near the Flume is a deep natural well in the solid rock, about sixty feet 
in diameter, called the Pool. It is more than one hundred and fifty 
feet from the l)rink of the well to tlie surface of the water, which 
is about forty feet deep. A lari^'c hotel, called the Flume House, has 
been erected w itliiii a few years, for the accommodation of the visitors. 
There arc two school districts ; one meeting-house, occupied by all de- 
nominations ; and two post-offices — Lincoln and the Flume House: 




NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF LISBON, ETC. 555 

also, one saw-mill, and shingle, lath, and clapboard machines. Popula- 
tion, 57 ; valuation, ^56,790. 

Lisbon, in the northern part of Grafton county, eighty-nine miles 
from Concord, contains 29,130 acres. It was granted, under the name 
of Concord, August 6, 1763, to Joseph Burt and others, and regranted 
November 28, 1768, to Leonard Whiting and others, under the name of 
Gunthwaite. This title was not satisfactory, and the first one again 
adopted, which was changed June 14, 1824, to the present name. 
Methodist and Free-will Baptist societies existed here as early as 1800. 
The land is of three varieties, — interval, plain, and upland, — all of which 
is fit for cultivation, the plain re(iuiring extra dressing. The Lower 
Ammonoosuc river waters the town through its whole extent, and sev- 
eral smaller streams perform a similar service. Mink pond lies in the 
south part, and affords mill seats at its outlet. Blueberry mountain is 
the only elevation of note. A large amount of iron ore is dug from a 
quarry in the southeast part of the town, sufficient to sujjply the iron 
foundery in Franconia. Limestone of good quality is also abundant, 
and much has been used in the manufacture of lime. Maple sugar is 
an article largely made. There are two villages — Lisbon and Sugar 
Hill, at each of which there is a post-otfice ; two church edifices — 
Methodist and Free-will Baptist ; and fourteen school districts : also, 
two starch manufactories, one cotton bobbin factory, and one carriage 
manufactory. There is a way station of the White Mountain Rail- 
road in Lisbon. Population, 1,881 ; valuation, !*<5o4,139. 

Litchfield, Hillsljorough county, is situated on the east bank of the 
Merrimack river, directly north of Hudson. The greater portion of the 
territory comprising this townsiiip was granted, as early as 1656, to 
William Brenton, by the general court of Massachusetts, and was 
known as Brenton's Farm. Its Indian name was Naticook, and the 
interval portions of the town were inhabited by a branch of the Pena- 
cooks, called sometimes the Naticooks. No attempts at settlement 
were made until about the year 1720, when several persons from Biller- 
ica and Chelmsford, Mass., arrived, among the names of whom were 
Underwood, Chase, Bixby, Tufts, and Parker. It was set ofi" from 
Dunstable (or Nashua), and incorporated by Massachusetts as a town- 
ship (its territory lying on both sides of the Merrimack river), July 5, 
1734. In June, 1749, the charter thus granted was confirmed by New 
Hampshire. From 1734 to 1746, a period of about twelve years, the 
settlers on what is now called Merrimack and Litchfield acted under a 
common organization. Their town and church officers were chosen 



OoG HISTORY AXI) DESCRIPTIOX OF NEW ENGLAND. 

partly from each side of the river. The early inhabitants were very de- 
sirous to establish public worship and the gospel ministry. A commit- 
tee of two — one from each side of the river — was sent to Newbury, 
'• to treat with Mr. John Tufts about having his son Joshua to preach 
in Litchfield." Such was the deference paid to parents. Mr. Tufts 
was ordained in 1741, and remained three years. A churcii is supposed 
to have existed some years prior to 1770, but after this there was none 
for some time previous to 1809, when the Presbyterian church was 
formed. In the French war, and during that of the Revolution, Litch- 
field supplied her quota of men and means, and gave her utmost sup- 
port to the latter contest. Litchfield is a small but remarkably fertile 
township, and it has yet remaining considerable timber land of great, 
value. Farming is almost the sole employment of its sparse population. 
It contains one Presbyterian meeting-house, six school districts, and one 
post-office: also, two saw-miUs and one grist-mill. Pojmlation, 450; 
valuation, §270,12o. 

Littleton, on the Connecticut river, in Grafton county, one hundred 
miles from Concord, contains twenty-six thousand acres, and was char- 
tered November 17, 1764, under the name of Chiswick. For some 
cause or other it was rechartered, with the name of Apthorp, January 
18, 1770, and contained at that time 40,850 acres, which was reduced to 
the present area, November 4, 1784, by the incorporation of Dalton. 
The name of Apthorp was changed at that time to the present one. 
Cajjtain Natiian Caswell commenced its settlement about 1772 or 1773, 
and his son was the first child born in town, and was named from it. 
The first church formed was a Congregational, in 1803. 

Littleton has fifteen miles of territory on Connecticut river. The sur- 
face is generally uneven and rocky to some extent, but it is suitable for 
tillage and grazing. There is some rich interval along the Anmionoosuc. 
The mountains most noted are Raspberry, Black, Palmer's, and Iron, 
which are covered Vi^ith sugar maple, beech, birch, bass, white ash, and 
in some places red oak. Fifteen Mile falls, in Connecticut river, 
extend the whole length of Littleton. Ammonoosuc river waters the 
sonih part. Partridge pond, lying partly in Lyman, is the only one 
here. A mineral spring, the water of which is said to resemble that of 
the Congress spring at Saratoga, lies near Ammonoosuc river. Lime- 
stone exists in several localities, and a valuable oilstone quarry was in 
operation until within the last few years. Most of the people are 
emi)ioye(l in agricultural pursuits, and there are many beautiful and 
productive farms. There are two villages — Littleton and Factory- 
ville ; two churches — Methodist and Congregational ; eighteen school 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OP LONDOXDERRY. 5o7 

districts; two post-offices — Littletoa and North Littleton; and a lari^e 
hotel, known as the White Mountain House, well arranged and hand- 
somely finished : also, a large woollen factory, an iron foundcry, two 
machine-shops, tiiree saw-mills, one grist-mill, an edge-tool manufac- 
tory, a carriage factory, a door, sash, and blind factory, a chair factory, 
some mechanical establishments of less note, and several stores. Tiie 
White Mountain Railroad, which passes through Littleton, adds much 
to the importance and general prosperity of the town. Population, 
:2.00S ; valuation, *s.5:36,S7S. 

Londonderry, Rockingham county, is situated on the Merrimack 
river, twenty-five miles from Concord. The settlers of this town emi- 
grated from the province of Ulster, Ireland, and were of Scotch descent. 
They came over to this country as much on account of the glowing 
descriptions given of the fertility of its soil, and the other inducements 
which it was represented as possessing, as on account of escaping the 
religious persecutions which were instititted against the Protestants by 
James II. Having sent over tiie Rev. Mr. Boyd to make the necessary 
arrangements for their arrival, and to confer with Governor Shute of 
Massachusetts in reference to a grant of land, which having resulted 
favorably, the little colony embarked in five shi))s, and arrived at Boston, 
August 4, 1718. Sixteen of these families having obtained the privilege 
of settling in Casco, Me., started for Casco bay, where they arrived late 
in the season, and were frozen in, being obliged to spend the whole 
winter on board the ship, as well as suft'er severely for the want of food. 
They were saved from starvation by tiie grant of one hundred bushels 
of Indian meal by the general court of Massachusetts. ^ 

On the opening of spring, they explored, for some distance, the coun- 
try around Casco bay, and finding no tract with wiiich they felt satis- 
fied, they concluded to return to Boston; and, directing their course 
westward, they entered the Merrimack river, ascending it as far as 
Haverhill, where they arrived April 2 (old style), 1719. While at 
Haverhill, they heard of a fine tract of land about fifteen miles distant, 
called Nutfield, on account of the abundance of the chestnut, butternut, 
and walnut trees which distinguished the growth of its forests. Having 
examined this tract and ascertained that it was unappropriated, they at 
once decided to solicit a grant of it from Massachusetts. The spot 
being selected, the settlement was commenced on the 11th of April 

' James jNIcKeen, the grandfather of the fii-st president of Bowdoin College, was one 
of this company, and the agent who selected the laud on which the company finally 
settled. 

47* 



558 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

(old style), 1719, aiul, on the next clay, Rev. ]Mr. INlcGrcgore, their pas- 
tor, made an atieetionate and inlpre^^^^ive address to the little colony, 
who had assembled under a large oak ^ on the east side of Benson 
))oiid. The field on which the settlers first erected their rude cabins as 
a temporary accommodation for their families, and which they culti- 
vated the first year in common, lies not far from the turnpike where it 
crosses West Running brook, and has ever since been called the Com- 
mon field. 

The names of these settlers were James INIcKeen, John Barnett, Archi- 
bald Clendenin, John Mitchel, James Skerrett, James Anderson, Randal 
Alexander, James Gregg, James Clark, James Nesmith, Allen Anderson, 
Robert Weir, John Morrison, Samuel Allison, Thomas Steele, and John 
Stuart, most of whom were in the prime of life, — robust, persevering, 
and adventurous, — and well suited to encounter the toils and endure 
the hardships attendant on the task which they had undertaken. They 
disti-ibuted themselves in different parts of the town, without any regard 
to the arrangement of lots, which is evidenced in the multiplicity of 
roads bending in every direction, a circumstance both injudicious and 
unwise, and latterly a source of considerable expense. Londonderry, 
though a frontier town, was never molested by the Indians, while those 
in its immediate neighborhood, and less exposed withal, were plundered 
and devastated without mercy. This signal exemption from savage 
hostilities is ascribed to the fact that the settlers secured, through 
Colonel Wheelwright of Wells, Me., a fair and acknowledged Indian 
title to their township ; as well as to the circumstance of the Rev. Mr. 
McGregore being a classmate in college with the Marquis de Vau- 
dreuil, the French governor of Canada, w"ho, at the request of Mr. 
McGregore, caused means to be used for the protection of the settle- 
ment. 

It having been ascertained that the town was beyond the jurisdiction 
of Massachusetts, the settlers, in September, 1719, asked and obtained 
an act of incorporation from the general court, then sitting at Ports- 
mouth, N. H. In June, 1772, the settlement, which had heretofore been 
called Nuffield, was incorporated as a township by the name of London- 
derry, in commemoration of the city in and near to which most of them 
had resided in their native land. To this little colony belongs the credit 
of introducing the potatoe into New England, as also the hand-card, the 

' On the prostration of this venerable oak through decay, the owner of the field on 
which it stood planted a young apple-tree among its decayed roots, -svliieh is now a thrifty 
tree. This spot deserves some more enduring memorial ; and, for this object, it has been 
proposed that a granite obelisk, bearing appropriate inscriptions, should be erected at 
some early day in jilaee of the tree. 



N3W HAMPSUIRE — TOWN OF LONDONDERRY. 559 

foot-wheel, and tlie loom, iniplenients afterwards common to every New 
England town. 

Londonderry, besides peopling her own borders, has sent many 
pioneers of civilization to form new colonies in various parts of New 
Hampsiiire, Maine, Vermont, and elsewhere. She also contrilxitcd 
largely to the struggle for independence, bearing promptly her full 
share in every conflict. The very first act of open and bold resistance 
to British authority was exhibited by a small party of men from this 
town, although the fact never received public notice. While the 
British were quartered in Boston, and before the encounter at Lex- 
ington, four of the soldiers deserted and came to Londonderry. An 
officer, with a number of soldiers, was despatched for the purpose of 
arresting them, which they succeeded in doing, and marched towards 
Boston. No sooner was the fact known in the town, than a party of 
young men rallied, and, led by Captain James Aiken, a bold and 
energetic officer, pursued and overtook them a few miles north of 
Haverhill. Captain Aiken, quickly passing them, drew up his men in 
front of the party, and commanded them to halt and give up their 
prisoners. The British officer, overawed by this unexpected and bold 
resistance, at once complied, and the prisoners returned with their 
deliverers, and afterwards became residents of the town. No further 
attempts were made for their arrest. General Stark, of Revolutionary 
fame, was a native of this town, as also were Colonels Reed, McClearv, 
and Gregg, than whom no better or braver officers can be found in the 
annals of our country. 

The Presbyterian church is one of the oldest in the state ; but no 
early records are in existence. The parish records were begun Sep- 
tember 7, 1736, more than three years before the incorporation of this 
as the west parish. This charter gave power to levy taxes for the 
support of schools and the g-ospel upon all taxable persons and property ; 
and conferred on all who were entitled to vote in town affairs the right 
to vote in parish meetings. This is the present charter, though the 
power of taxation has been wholly taken away, while that of voting 
remains in full force.' Rev. David McGregore, ordained in 1736, was 
pastor until his death in 1777. Rev. WilUam Morrison, D. D., was 
pastor from 1783 to 1818. Rev. Daniel Dana, D. D., was pastor for 
four years, from 1822 to 1826, and did much to promote the temperance 
reform. 

Londonderry contains 25,870 acres, the surface of which is composed 
of gentle swells, and the soil generally strong and productive. There 

' Lawrence's Xew Hampshire Churches, p. 89. 



560 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF XEW ENGLAND. 

are some well cultivated I'anns liere, which receive the particular 
attention of their industrious owners. The town is watered by Beaver 
brook, and a tributary of the Cohas brook; and Scoby's is the only 
pond. In 1828, the easterly portion of Londonderry was set otV as a 
township, and incorporated by the name of Deny. There are three 
churches — Presbyterian, Baptist, and Methodist ; eleven school dis- 
tricts ; and two post-offices — Londonderry and North Londonderry : 
also, two grist-mills, five saw-mills, and five stores. The Manchester 
and Lawrence Railroad passes through Londonderry. Population, 
1,731 ; valuation, s610,236. 

LounoN, in the eastern part of Merrimack county, about ten miles 
from Concord, contains 28,257 acres, which originally belonged to 
Canterbury. It was incorporated January 23, 1773, and the first town- 
meeting was held March 23d following. In 1760, settlements were 
begun, Abraham and Jethro Batchelder and Moses Ordway being 
among the earliest inhabitants. The Congregationalists organized the 
first church in 1789. Previous to this, from $50 to $150 had been 
raised annually for preaching. In 1778, arrangements were made for 
Imilding a meeting-house, forty-fom* feet by fifty-eight, with galleries 
and end porches for stair flights. To defray the expenses of its erec- 
tion, $45,000 of the depreciated continental bills were raised. A 
barrel of rum and a great supper were provided for the occasion of 
" raising." Rev. Jedediah Tucker was settled over the society from 
1789 to 1810, when he was compelled to resign for want of pecuniary 
support. This state of things lasted for some years, when the organ- 
ization of a Free-will Baptist society excited the Congregational church 
to some new efforts, but really weakened it by redi^cing its number. 
In 1826, a division of the society arose, chiefly from the distance 
between difl'erent sections of the town. In 1853, January 7th, a tract 
of land was annexed from the parent town, Canterbury. The land in 
Loudon is of a varied quality, including some good interval on the bor- 
ders of Soucook river, by which the township is watered. This river 
furnishes several valuable mill privileges. The principal place of busi- 
ness is called Soucook Village, and lies in the south part of the town, 
east of the river. The site is pleasant and agreeable, and the village 
contains many good buildings. There are three churches — two Con- 
gregational and one Free-will Baptist ; thirteen school districts ; and 
three post-offices — Loudon, Loudon Centre, and Loudon Ridge: also, 
two grist-mills, five saw-mills, two tanneries, one manufactory for flan- 
nel, two carriage factories, one chair factory, and several lesser mechanic 
'Establishments. Popitlation, 1,552 ; valuation, -§615,933. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF LYMAN, ETC. 561 

Lyman, near the Connecticut river, in Grafton county, ninety miles 
from Concord, was chartered to a number of individuals, among whom 
was Daniel Lyman, November 10, 1761. The town received its name, 
it is more than probable, from tlie iirst settler. Among the descendants 
of the first three families were twenty sons, nineteen of wliom lived to 
an advanced age, and were citizens of the town in the year 1815. 
Lyman was originally six miles square, and so remained till July, 1854, 
when, by legislative enactment, the territory now comprised in Mom'oe 
was severed from it, which took off more than one tliird of that pari of 
the township lying on Connecticut river. The soil is of a superior 
quality, and the people are engaged principally in its cultivation. 
Lyman's or Gardner mountain lies in this town, and on it is the source 
of the northwest branch of Burnham's river, the northeast branch rising 
in Partridge pond, which lies partly in Littleton. There are two 
small villages — Parker Hill and Tinkervillc ; two meeting-houses — 
Methodist antl Union ; one post-ollice, and seven school districts : also, 
a steam starch factory, two grist-mills, four saw-mills, and one carding- 
machine. Population, 1,442 ; valuation, 8206,768. 

Lyme, in the western part of Grafton county, fifty-four miles from 
Concord, has an area of 28,500 acres, and lies on the Connecticut river. 
Theodore Atkinson and others obtained a grant of the territory, July 8, 
1761, and its settlement was commenced, in the autumn of 1764, by 
three brothers, John, William, and David Sloan. Walter Fairfield came 
the same or the next year. The name was derived from Lyme, 
Coim., from which place some of the settlers came. The Congre- 
gational church, formed in 1771, was the first religious society organ- 
ized. At the first town meeting, however. May 17, 1769, it was voted 
to unite with Thetford, over the river, to hire preaching for the ensuing 
year. Rev. William Conant from Bridge water, Mass., was ordained 
December 22, 1773, and continued pastor till his death, a period of 
more than thirty-six years. A meeting-house was erected in 1781. 
The early inhabitants enjoyed occasional missionary visits from Rev. 
Eleazer Wheelock, the first president of Dartmouth CoUege. Quite a 
check was given to intemperance here in connection with the labors of 
Rev. Baxter Perry, who was pastor from 1821 to his death in 1829. A 
Baptist church was organized in 1819, and went into efficient and suc- 
cessful operation. John Fairfield, son of Walter, and Hon. Jonathan 
Franklin, who became member of the council in 1811, represented the 
town in the legislature for many years. 

There is less interval in this town (hau in most other towns on the 
Connecticut river, but, with this exce})tion, the characteristics of the 



562 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTIOX OF NEW ENGLAND. 

land an- the same. Three small streams pass through Lyme and 
empty into the Connecticut river, and Post pond is the largest collection 
of water. Several large reservoirs have been erected at considerable 
expense, and supply abundance of water at all seasons. Smart's moun- 
tain, Iving in the northeast part, is the most noted elevation. Lime- 
stone, of the graiuilar crystalline species, is found in various localities 
in beds six feet thick, connected with which is an abundance of massive 
CTarnet. with crystals of hornblende. A mixture of granular quartz, very 
curious, with carbonate of lime, exists in inexhaustible quantities, and 
is much used in manufacturing isinglass. Several other minerals are 
prevalent, and there is an extensive deposit of clay marl, very useful for 
its fertilizing qualities. Lyme is an agricultural town of more than or- 
dinary capacity, and has gained notoriety for the extensive quantities of 
wheat produced, as well as for its superior breeds of sheep. The larg- 
est amount of wool produced by any town in the state was returned for 
this town the last year. The people are thrifty, and are blessed with a 
competence. There are two villages — Lyme and East Lyme; two 
meeting-houses — Congregational and Baptist ; sixteen school districts, 
with the same number of schools, and Q»ie post-office : also, a steam 
saw-mill, several water power saw-mills, and tAvo tanneries. The Con- 
necticut and Passumpsic Rivers Railroad connects with Lyme. Popu- 
lation, 1,618 ; valuation, 6593,700. 

Lyndeborouoii, lying near the centre of Hillsborough county, tliirty- 
five miles from Concord, contains 20,767 acres. It was granted in 1736, 
by Massachusetts, to Captain Samuel King and fifty-nine others, who 
were engaged in the expedition to Canada in 1690, and in consequence 
was called Salem Canada, some of the proprietors having belonged to 
Salem, Mass. Benjamin Lynde, of Salem, purchased a large portion 
of the land in 1753 ; and when the act of incorporation was passed, 
April 23, 1764, the name of Lyndeborough was given to the town in 
honor of that gentleman. Settlements were begun as early as 1750, the 
earliest inhabitants being Putnam, Chamberlain, and Cram, who came 
from .Massachusetts. In 1757, the first religious society — a Congre- 
gational — was formed, a meeting-house having been built some time 
previous. A pastor. Rev. John Rand, was settled in 1757, soon after 
which another meeting-house was built, on what is called Rocky Hill; 
but this was not long used, for, in 1772, a large and substantial edifice 
was completed, which lasted for sixty-five years. Rev. Sewall Goodridge 
was pastor from 1768 until his death in 1809 ; Rev. Nathaniel Merrill, 
from 1811 to 1835. The soil is suitable for grazing, and, though stony, 
is of good depth, and strong. The streams are inconsiderable, and there 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWX OF MADUURY. 563 

is but one pond. The situation of the town is on high land, and it has 
a large mountain intersecting it from east to west. A part of this town 
was annexed to Mont Vernon, January 5, 1853. Lyndeborough Centre 
and South Lyndeborough are the only two villages, the former being 
pleasantly situated on a ))lain near Piscataquog river. There are two 
church edifices — Congregational and Baptist; ten school districts, with 
the same number of schools ; and three ])ost-otiices — Lyndeborough, 
South Lyndeborough, and North Lyndeborough. Population, 9Gb; 
valuation, •'i?319,:252. 

Madbuky, in the south part of Straflbrd county, adjoining Dover, is 
a small, triangular-shaped town, containing about seven square iriiles, 
being thirty-six miles soiitheast from Concord. It was incorporati'd as 
a parish. May 31, 1755, and as a town. May 26, 1768, covering terri- 
tory taken from the westerly part of Dover and the northerly part of 
Dm-ham. This town was settled, at a very early date, by persons of the 
names of Davis, Chesiey, Evans, Drew, and others. It suH'ered idl the 
horrors of Indian warfare, in common with Dover and Durham. " Mnlior- 
rimet's hill," now " Hicks hill," derived its title from a sagamore of that 
name. The town is about seven miles long, its extreme easterly jKiint 
extending to the tide water of a branch of the Piscataqua, aboirt five 
miles above Portsmouth. The surface is undulating: the soil in the 
valleys is composed of a mixture of clay, and that on the highlands of 
sand and loam, and not very stony. It has an average productiveness, 
and affords good returns to the luany industrious farmers who cultivate 
it. Bog iron ore exists, in some localities, in considerable quantities, and 
in some instances yellow ochre has been found. Bellamy bank river 
sup|)lies the town with water, and Barbadoes, lying between Mad- 
bury and Dover, is the only pond, being one hundred and twenty 
rods long and fifty wide. There was once a meeting-house, but the 
building was long since turned into a town-house. No church has ever 
been permanently established. Rev. Mr. Hooper, a Baptist, preached 
here for a series of years. Transient preaching is occasionally had. 
The Congregationalists, the Baptists, the Christian Baptists, and the 
Methodists have each at times been in the majority. Many of the peo- 
ple attend public worship in Dover and the adjoining towns. Tliere 
are a number of Friends in Madbury, belonging to the church in Dover. 
The first meeting-house was erected prior to 1743. There are four 
school districts, a shingle mill, clapboard mill, and grist-mill. The Bos- 
ton and Maine Railroad passes through the town. Population, 483; 
valuation, $187,507. 



564 IIISTOIIY AND DESCRIPTION OF XEW ENliLAND. 

Madisox, CaiToU county, in the eastern part of the state, sixty-four 
miles from Concord, \vas formed from the west part of Eaton and 
a portion of Etlingham, and was incorporated December 17, 1852. The 
line dividing Eaton from .Madison runs nt)rtli and south on tlie sum- 
mits of Clark's, CTlines's, and Lyman mountains. It was settled aboitt 
the same time as the parent town, some of the early inhabitants being 
William Siiell, .Joshua Nickerson, Timothy Danfortli, and Timothy Gil- 
man, and contains sLxty square miles, the surface of which is broken, 
but the soil good and fertile. There is no river running through the 
place ; the mill streams are fed by springs and small brooks. The larg- 
est collections of water are Six-mile, Danforth, and Peqnawket ponds, 
the latter being on the line between Madison and Albany, partly in 
each. The lown has one church edifice (Free-will Baptist); nine school 
districts, and two i)ost-offices — Madison and East Madison : also, two 
saw-mills and one grist-mill. Population, 850; valuation, 8155,451. 

Maxciiester, Hillsborough county, is a city, situated on both sides of 
the Alerrimack river. The part of the town on the cast side of the 
river w'as formerly called Derryfield, and was incorporated September 3, 
1751. The tract of land embraced in the charter included a part of 
Chester, a part of Londonderry, and a piece of land belonging to the 
legal representatives of John Tufton jMason, sometimes called Harry- 
town. The exact date of the first settlement cannot now be ascer- 
tained ; but it was doubtless about 1725. at the close of " Lovewell's 
war." The first inhabitants were, in ]iart, from Massachusetts, but 
mainly were Scotchmen from the north of Ireland, known as " Scotch 
Irish," than whom there were no hardier and more persevering men who 
took lip their abode in these tiien unbroken wilds. John McNeil, Archi- 
bald Stark (father of the General), Colonel John Goffe, the Perliam 
family. Hall, Dickey, and IMcMurphy were among the first in Derryfield. 
The main body of the Indians deserted this part of the countiy before 
the arrival of tiic white settlers, but many of them were found about 
Amoskeag Falls as late as 1745. There was a large Indian village on 
the hill cast of, and overlooking the falls, which, for a long time, was the 
royal residence of the Penacook sagamores. In 1810, the name Der- 
ryfield was changed to that of Manchester, which was mainly eflected 
by Thomas Stickney, a grandson of Hon. Samuel Blodget, who pre- 
dicted, that, as a manufacturing place, Manchester of New England 
would one day vie in importance with the jManchester of Old England, 
— a fact not beyond the possibility of realization. 

The institutions of religion did not here, as in other settlements by 
the Scotch-Irish, follow close upon the heels of the arrival of the 



NEW HAMPSHIRE CITY OF MANCHESTER. ")fi-'j 

jiioneers, though mncli interest was shown in the suliject, in th(^ way of 
u-raats of money for preaching, the first of which apjjears on the records, 
November, 1751. In 1753, it was voted that '• Benj. Stevens' barn and 
Wm. McClintock's barn be the i)lace of public v,x)rship till the money 
voted last March be expended." There were preachers employed oc- 
casionally, and several calls were extended; but no minister ever ac- 
cepted of the " distinguished consideration "' of the inhabitants of Derry- 
field. In 1756, the people aroused themselves from their dormant relig- 
ious condition, and some steps were taken towards erecting a meeting- 
house ; but its completion seemed to be a great tax upon the energies 
of the inhal)itanTs, for the outside of tiie house was not covered till 
1792. In fact, it could never be said to have been in a thoroughly 
linished state while it was occupied, one part decaying before another 
jiart was completed. The iirst chnrch in town was Baptist, and was 
organized in 1812, under the teaching of Mr. David Abbott. It con- 
sisted of fourteen members. It flourished under his teaching, until it 
munbered twenty-two male members. Some dilliculty then divided 
and broke up the church. The next society formed was the Universalist, 
at the village of Amoskeag, in 1825. It was regularly supplied with 
preaching, and, in 1S:33, the church consisted of seventy members. In 
is:3i), this church was transferred to Manchester. A Presbyterian 
cluirch was organized in May, 1828. and consisted of two men and six 
women. Tliev had ])reaching a portion of the time, but no settled min- 
ister. In 1839, this church united with the Congregational church in 
Amoskeag, and a pastor was settled in January, 1840, the church being 
located in Manchester. A Methodist Episcopal church was organized 
in Manchester in 1829, and, in the following year, a house of worship 
was erected. This was the first meeting-house finished in Manchester. 
In 1831-32. the Rev. Matthew New hall, from the New Hampshire con- 
ference, was stationed here, and he may be considered the first regular 
minister in the town. Since that time, this church has been regularly 
supplied from the conference. 

In respect to schools, the inhabitants of Derryficid were almost equally 
reiniss. Schools were, however, kept in town by voluntary subscrip- 
tion, at an early period; but no regular system of schooling was under- 
taken until 1781, when four schools were established, in convenient 
parts of the town, and continued each ten weeks. Soon after, two 
school-houses were built l)y private individuals, and the town was 
divided into school districts. The regular organization of schools in 
the town may date, therefore, from 17S1. 

It is a curious fact, that but a solitary physician, an 1 no minister or 
lawyer, resided permanently in town for three qtrarters of a century alter 

VOL. I. -IS 



0G6 HISTORY AND DICSlKII'TIOX UF NEW LXGLAXD. 

its iiirorponiiion, and not a single native of tlie town was educated for 
either of ilie learned professions for a eentiiry. Tlie low state of religion 
and ed\ieaiion is To lie attributed, in jjurt, to the jinrsuits of the inhabit- 
ants, tishing, hunl.)ering, ajid •• foll(_)\ving the river," but mainly from the 
I'aet that tlie population, from the beginning of the settlement, was 
made up of discordant materials. The Scotch Presbyterians from Ire- 
land, and the Puritans from Massachusetts, could unite in sentiment 
upon no question of religion, education, t)r i)olitics. Of different man- 
ners, customs, and religious views, there was still a greater obstacle in 
the way of union. Massachusetts laid claim to a great part of the ter- 
ritory of New Hampshire, including that settled by the " Scotch-Irish."' 
Both New Hampshire and Massachusetts encouraged settlements upon 
the disputed territory. The fisheries at Amoskeag were very valuable. 
People from Massachusetts settled in tlie neighborhood, under the pat- 
ronage of that government, to secure the fisheries and the lands adja- 
cent. The Scotch-Irish settled in Londonderry, and the territory was 
afterwards incorporated as Derryfield, under the patronage of New Hamp- 
shire. As a consequence, there was a constant feud among this people, 
that continued for a century, and was allayed only by the hand of time. 
It is not strange that in a small town like Derryfield, thus constituted 
and divided, they could not unite to support a minister or schools, to any 
great extent. It is more strange that they succeeded in these matters as 
well as they did. 

Manchester, in the first days of its settlement, was noted for its 
abundant supplies of fish. The Merrimack was stocked with shad, ale- 
wives, salmon, and the lamprey-eel. In the spring of the year, large 
quantities of these several kinds of fish were taken, and formed the 
principal sustenance of the inhabitants during the remainder of the 
year, not only of Derryfield, but of the adjacent country. The eel, in 
particular, was regarded as a great luxury, and so common was it as an 
article of food, that it was christened " Derryfield beef." The love of 
the inhabitants for this cold, slippery animal, in appearance half fish, 
half reptile, was thus hit off" by William Stark, of Manchester, in a 
poem delivered at the centennial celebration at Manchester, October 2, 
18G1: — 

'• Our fatlicrs treasured tte slimy prize: 
They loved the eel as their very eyes ; 
And of one 't is said, with a slander rife, 
For a string of eels he sold his wife ! 

" From the eels tlu'v formed their food ia clilef, 
And eels were ealled the ' Derryfield beef! ' 



NEW HAMPSHIRE CITY OF MANCHESTER. 567 

And the marks of eels were so plain to trace, 
That the children looked like eels in the face; 
And before they walked — it is well confirmed, 
That the children never crept, but >vy(((>;/!c'(/." 

The inhabitnnts of Manchester, during the Rcvohitionary struggle, as 
appears from the records, exhibited remarkable patriotisin and spirit. 
There was no wavering in their hatred of the aggressions of Great 
Britain, and men were promptly on hand to assist the cause in the field. 
Upon the arrival of the news of the battle of Lexington, thirlij-fonr 
men out of l/iir/i/six reported by the selectmen as capable of bearing 
arms in the town, volunteered at once, and joined the army at Cam- 
bridge. Those were the men, that, under the intrepid Captain Moore 
of Derryfield, made such havoc among the British troops on the siiore 
of tiie Mystic, in the battle of Bunker Hill. Of these thirty-four men 
from Derryfield was General John Stark, the hero of Bennington, wiiose 
early life was spent on this then frontier settlement. Speaking of the 
battle of Bennington, a Avriter says : " Taking all the circumstances into 
account, it was evidently one of the most important battles of the Rev- 
olution." General Stark was one of the first in the field, and was I'ti- 
gaged, not only in the battle of Bunker Hill, but in various other 
engagements, in all which he distinguished himself as a brave officer. 
The general died here May 8, 1822, in his ninety-fourth year, being at 
that time the only surviving American general of the Revolution. 

Much of the soil of Manchester is of a light, sandy quality, and is 
poorly adapted to agriculture ; yet there are some farms that will bear 
comparison with any in the neighboring towns ; and, taken as a whole, 
it would seem that the land is better than it has often been represented. 
Lying within the eastern boundary is part of a large body of water, 
known as Massabesic lake, one of the most irnportant natural features 
of Manchester. It is very irregular, being divided into two parts, 
connected by a narrow strait. Indented with points and dotted with 
islands, it presents to the eye a most picturescfue appearance, from 
whatever point it may be viewed. Several hotels, for the accommo- 
dation of visitors, have been erected near this delightful lake. Several 
streams have their origin in Manchester, and discliarge themselves into 
tlie Merrimack, — Cohas brook, wiiich issues from Massabesic lake 
and receives two smaller streams from the south, and discharges its 
waters at the southwest of the town, being the largest. There are 
numerous other streams, which are not sufficiently large to be worthy of 
particularization. 

The first important work of art jtrojectcd in Manchester was the con- 
struction of the Blodget Canal around the Amoskeag Falls, whieli was 



568 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTIOX OF XEW ENOLAND. 

completed in l^Ki, l)V llie iiiii:enuity and jxTseverance of the late 
Samuel Blodget, and cos^t §60.000, though a larger sum was at first 
expended. The Amoskeag Falls, between Manchester and Gofl'stown, 
are the largest on the Merrimack. The fall, in the ordinary stage of 
water, is forty-seven feet, antl the whole fall, in the distance of a mile, is 
fifty-four feet, furnishing power sufficient to run many thousand spin- 
dles. This almost incalculable force is th(; nucleus, as well as the chief 
cause, of the gri)wtli of Manchester, which, though not more than 
twenty years olil, is the foremost city in the state, having the largest 
(jopulation, while it is the most varied, extensive, and prolific in produc- 
tive industry, and second only to Lowell, Mass., in ])oint of cotton man- 
ufactures. Aside from the value of these falls in their capacity for 
mamifacturing, there is a natural grandeur about them wliich commands 
admiration. The width of the river is greatly increased, and it is 
divided into several distinct streams by numerous small islands. 'J'he 
water finds egress through various channels over a ragged bottom, rush- 
ing with great velocity, and producing a sound which can be heard some 
miles. The force and action of the water can be well divined by the 
examination, at the upper part, near the greatest fall, of some circular 
holes, various in size, worn perpendicularly into the solid rock several 
feet, some of which exceed eight feet iti circumference. It is conjec- 
tured that these holes were made use of by the aborigines, in time of 
war, as harboring places for provisions. Certain tracts of land were 
severed from Bedford and Gotlstown and annexed to this city, July 1, 
185-3. This addition included the villages of Amoskeag in Goflstown, 
and Piscata(jitog in Bedford,^ on the west side of the Merrimack. 

Manchester received its city charter in June, 1846, and is divided into 
eight wards. It is situated on a plain ninety feet above the river, the 
boarding-houses of the corporations occupying the slope towards the 
canals. Its form is nearly square, its greatest length being from north 
to south, \\hile its streets are regular and broad, the principal of which 
is Elm, — till' Broadway of Manchesier, — one hundred feet in width 
and more than a mile in lenglh. The buildings in the western portion 
of the c-ity are generallv of brick ; while those in the eastern are princi- 
|)ally of Wood, elegant and tasteful in appearand'. In diflerent parts of 
the city, large scpiares hnvc l)een laid out, whi( h are decorated w'uh 
trees -and inclosed with handsome railings, two of thi-m having within 
their limits ponds of ccnisiderable size, wliich serve, not only as orna- 
ments, but tis reservoirs in cases of lire. The puiilic cemeterv, situated a 
short distan<-e from the citv, is a beautiful spot, always a jilace of resort, 
and justly a souix-e of pride to those who have so atlmirably succeeded 

' See auto, p. 420. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE CITY OF MANCHESTER. 569 

in clothing witli beanty and attrar-tion tlie last resting-place of mor- 
tals. 

The snhjoineil statistics of the manufacturing interests of RIaiichesrer 
are for the year ISoG, and arc considered as the fair exponent of ordi- 
nary business times. Nearly all of the establishments contained in Ihe 
folknving enumeration are in a sound jjosition, although the full rcsmiip- 
tion of operations following alU'r the great financial crisis of 1S57-8 
cannot yet be nx-orded. 'J'he Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, 
incorporated in ISol, commenced operations in 1842, and has a ca|)- 
ital of $:3,OnO,000. There are five mills. Numbers 1 and 2 are each 
five stories high, 166 feet long and oO wide, and calculated each for 
8,000 spindles. Number 3 was built in 1S43-4, of three stories, 444 
feet long and 60 wide, calculated for 20,000 spindles. Nmuber 4 
was built in 1847-8, six stories high, 260 feet long and 60 wide, cal- 
culated for 2o,000 spindles. Nuniljer 5, six stories higli, 222 feet long, 
60 wide, and calculated for 20,000 spindles, was built in 1855-6. Their 
last published returns show them to have 85,000 spindles, 2,100 looms, 
to employ 700 males and 2,500 females, to consume 184,572 ]iouncls of 
cotton weekly, and to make 400,000 yards of cloth, or 22,500,000 yards 
per annum. The goods manufactured are chiefly ticks, denims, flan- 
nels, sheetings, and drillings. Under the same charter and capital with 
this company is the Land and Water- Power Company, which has charge 
of the construction of new mills, the renting of shops and power, and 
the selling of land. It has also the direction of the extensive range of 
shops north of the cotton mills, occupied by private enterprise. The 
Amoskeag Manufacturing Compruiy has a-lso a machine-shop and loco- 
motive works, which have, by superior management, become of great 
im]iortance, and have acquired great reputation. The maciiine-shop and 
foundery were erected for their own convenience in 1842. In 1848, they 
not only erected a new machine-shop and foundery, but the locomotive 
works. They have a boiler shop, tank shop, forge shop, paint-shop, set- 
ting-up shop, a fire proof pattern-house, and a storehouse. These 
works employ 500 hands, use annually -3,500 tons of cast and wrought 
iron and steel, 150,000 pounds of brass castings, 250,000 pounds of cop- 
per, and 300,000 feet of lumber. They turn out annuallv about sixty 
locomotives, and machinery suflicient for a juill of 20,000 spindles. 
There is a savings institution in connection with this c<irpora- 
tion, in which there was a deposit, in 1856, by the operatives, of 
-SI 75,000. 

The Stark Mills, incorporated in 1838, went into operation in 1^'39, 
and have a capital of 81,250,000. This company |)ut the first cotton- 
mill in operation on the east side of the Merrimack in this city. The 
48* 



570 ]Ii.<TOKY AXD DESCRIl'TION OF NEW KXCiLAXD. 

first stnictnro, which now consTitntcs the sontli -\viiig of mill iiniiibcr 1. 
was built ill 1838, four storit-s high, 48 feet wide l)y 1-57 long, upon the 
upper eaiial. In 1839, the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company built 
for this corporation another mill, of the same dimensions as the former, 
which is now the north wing of mill number 1. In 1843, the company 
liad a eeiirn' piece built between these two mills, four stories high, with 
a iiedinieiit end surmounted l>y a cupola, having a front of 100 feet, — the 
eiiTire building l)eing in the form of a cross, 48 feet wide by 414 feet in 
length. The north wing was destroyed by fire in 1850, but was imme- 
tliatelv rebuilt. Mill number 2 was erected in 1848, five stories high, 220 
feet long and 50 wide. Both mills are estimated to contain 40.000 
spindles and 1,000 looms. The company employs 1,000 female and 
250 male hands. The weekly consumption of cotton is 185,000 pounds, 
and of wool 135,000 pounds. The goods manufactured are seamless 
bags, sheetings, and drillings; the annual product being 2.0'^0.000 
bags, and 9,(520,000 yards of the goods. The pay roll is about $30,000 
per month. 

The Manchester Print Works was originally incorporated under the 
name of Manchester Mills, in 1839, with a capital stock of 81,000,000. 
In 1847, thi.s corporation became merged in one under the name of 
Merrimack Rlills, under the impression that the charter of the latter 
was more liberal in its provisions. In 1851, the name was changed by 
legislative authority to the one it now bears ; and, in 1852, its capital 
was increased to §1,800,000, which is its present capital. The manu- 
facturing department has two mills. The first was built in 1845, — 
440 feet long, GO wide, and four stories high, exclusive of basement and 
altic. The second mill, built in 1850, was 824 feet long, 60 wide, and 
live stories high, besides basement and attic. These contain about 
00,000 si)indles and 1,500 looms; employ 400 male and 1,200 female 
operatives; consume weekly 22,000 pounds of cotton and 25,000 pounds 
of wool ; manufacture 14,560,000 yards annually, consisting of de laiiies, 
lierages, prints, Persian cloths, and cassimeres. Ujion the same canal, 
below these mills, was the old ])nnting establishment of this company. 
The main building, built in 1845, was six stories high, 300 feet long, 
and 60 wide. In 1850, an addition or L was added, six stories high, 
.-xtending south from the main building, 225 feet long, and 60 wide. 
The building for engraving, and containing dyestufis and chemicals, and 
the counting-rooms of the printing establishment, were east of the main 
building, the madd<-r dye-house being north of it. The main building 
of the printing department was burned in 1853, and, in 1855, one half 
of the largest mill ; but both were immediately rebuilt in the most ap- 
proved manner. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE CITY OF MANCHESTER. 571 

Tho Amoskcag Pajier-INIill oomnicncetl opcrutioiis in ls."i|, \vii|i a 
capital of •'ii'40,000. It employs from twenty to t'.iiny liaiuN. ami 
manufuctiin's ammally aljout :270 tons of l)oiil< pap<T and lil'iy of 
newspaper. Tlie Blodget Paper-.Anil went into opi'ration tlie same 
year, willi a eapitid of $"300,UUC), for tlie mannfieture of hoolv and 
n(>\vs paper muI ])aper hangings; turning out 6")0 tons of paper, and 
1,800,000 rolls of lumgings. Tlie, INIancliestcr Iron Company was incor- 
porated and went into operation in 1803, with a capital of 81-")0,000, 
employing sixty hands, using 1.000 tons of iron, and making DoO tons 
of castings j)er annum. The Manchester jMaehine Company, incorpo- 
rated ill 18-'):i, went into operation in 1855, with a capital of $300,000. 
employing forty hiuids in tlie manufacture of platform and other scales. 
The Manchester Car and Machine Works, incorporated in 1S54, went 
into operation in 1855 with a capital of 850,000, employing a hundred 
hands upon the manufacture of freight cars and machinery, using i.OOO 
tons of iron and 1,000,000 feet of lumber. Th<' .Manchester Locomo- 
tive Works, incorporated in 1*^53, l)egan to operate in l'^51, u|)oii a 
capital of ,§100,000, with two hundred hands, making locomotives, 
stationary steam-engines, and tools; using -100 tons of in.in, ','5,000 
pounds of brass, 80,000 pounds of copper, and 8"),000 feet of lumber. 
.\side from their other operations, they turned out aimually about thirty 
locomotives and steam-engines. The Blodget Edge-Tool Manufic- 
turing Company, incorporated in 1853, commenced operarioiis in ls.')5, 
upon $100,000 capital, employing eighty-five li;uids in making all kinds 
of axes, adzes, hatchets, and other edge-tools. They have used annuallv 
about 525 tons of iron and steel, turning out about 25,000 tools. The 
Manchester Cias-Light Company, incorporated in 1851, commenced 
operations in 1852. Tlu,^ works are erected on the east bank of the 
Merrimack, south of the railroad depot, and are capable of furnishing 
150,000 cubic feet of gas in twenty-four hours, the pipes being o[' 
sufficient capacity and strength to distribute double that (piantity. 

On the opposite page is inserted, as illustrative of that branch of the 
industry of New Hampshire which has gi'own to such immense impor- 
tance — her manufactures — a comprehensive view of the works of the 
larger corporations, including the Stark, Amoskeag, and Manchester 
Mills, and the Manchester Print Works, which were taken from the 
west side of the Merrimack, in Goflstown, and which necessarily con- 
ceal much of the nearer part of the city. No satisfactory picture of 
these establishments can be obtained from the east side, which, how- 
ever, allows the best general view of Manchester. 

The city contains twelve church edifices — two Congregational, two 
Methodist, two Baptist, one Universalist, one Free-will Baptist, one 



572 HISTORY AND DEfCRIPTIOX OF XEW EXGLAXD. 

Unirariaii, one Episcopal, oiio Roman Catholic, and one Free church ; 
eleven school-houses, in which schools are kept on a well devel- 
oped and practical system ; the Manchester Athenaeum, containing 
a library of 3.100 volmnes and an extensive reading-room, which is now 
merged in the city library ; an efficient fire department, consisting of 
six engine companies, two hose companies, and one hook and ladder 
company; six newspapers; four banks, ^\-ith a combined capital of 
§625,000; tlie Manchester Savings Bank, the Amoskeag Savings Bank, 
seven public-houses, eighteen resers-oirs, two post-offices (Manchester 
and Amoskeag), and imraerous other public and private establishments. 
There are three villages attached to the city, known by the names of 
Amoskeag, Piscataquog, and Moore's, — all of which are thriving places. 
No less than nine railroads centre in Manchester, connecting it with 
the most populous parts of New England, and furnishing unrivalled 
means of transportation. Manchester has had a rapid but substan- 
tial growth, and is still increasing. There is abundant reason for 
indulging the hope that the prediction of one of her early settlers is 
not altogether chimerical, and that she will yet vie in population, in 
manufactures, and in all the essentials which constitute a great manu- 
facturing city, with her transatlantic, but more venerable and honored, 
namesake. The po])ulation. in 1S50. was 13,933 ; at present, it is 
estimated at about 20,000 ; valuation, §9.276,43S. 

Maeleorough, in the southeastern part of Cheshire county, adjoining 
Dublin, is fifty-five miles from Concord, and was originally known as 
Monadnock No. 5. It was subsequently called New Marlborough, from 
Marlborough, JNIass., the former home of the original settlers ; but when 
it was incorporated, in 1776, the first word was omitted. It was granted 
to Timothy Dwight and sLxtA"-one others, April 29, 1751, the conditions 
requiring that the settlement be begun forthwith, a compliance with 
which was prevented by the French and Indian war, in which the col- 
onies were then engaged. A survey of the territory was made in 1762, 
and the town was re-granted to the same individual, September 21, 
1764 ; one of the specifications of the grant requiring that " a con- 
venient meeting-hoitse " shall be built within ten years from the 
date of the same. The first settlement was commenced, in 1760, by 
one McAlister, WUliam Barker, Abel Woodward, Benjamin Tucker, 
and Daniel Goodenough ; and in 1776, the first proprietors' meeting 
was convened, at which the question of building a meeting-house was 
acted upon ; but the vote to build was not passed till four years after. 
The fin;t church ( Conffregational) was organized November 11. 177S. 
over which Joseph Cum.mings was ordained pastor, being dismissed 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF MARLOW. 573 

December 26, 17S0, Oil the jilea of •' uiifaithfulne:^s," of ••lieinij unex- 
emplary in walk, imprudent in eouversatiiin, uiiehrir^tian in eonipaririij. 
rash in judgiiii; and slanderin;,'," and as '• jirofane."' Rev. llalloway 
Fish was jjastor iVuni Seineniher ^-l, 1793, until his dr-atli, Srplenihcr 
'2i, 1824, havine; ])resideil over the eliureh tor almost thirty-one years 
with great sueeess. Rev. Salnuin J?eiini'tt was pastor from 1825 to 1831 ; 
and Rev. M. ti. Cirosvenor from 1835 to 1840, a new meeting-house 
lieing built the year previous to his installation. The present minister. 
Rev. Giles Lyman, commenced his ministry in December, 1840. 
Marlborougli originally contained 20,740 acres, which have been reduced 
to about 13,000 acres by the incorporation of Troy. Lieutenant An- 
drew Colburn, an oflicer in the RevoUitionary army, killed in that 
eventful struggle, was a citizen of this town. The town has a broken 
surface and a rocky soil ; but it is suitable for grazing and for grain. 
There are several ponds, which are the sources of the branches of 
Ashuelot river. The only village is Graniteville. Marllmrough has 
four church edifices — two Congregational, one Baptist, and one Uni- 
versalist ; eiglit school districts, and two post-oiiices — Marlborough 
and Marlborough Depot : also, the following mechanical establishments : 
two for making wooden ware, three pail factories, a toy factory, a chair 
factory, seven saw-mills, two grist-milks, and one machine-shop. The 
Cheshire Railroad traverses Marlborough. Population, 878 ; valua- 
tion, 8363,811. 

Marlow, one of the northwest corner towns of Cheshire county, forty- 
tive miles frour Concord, contains 15,937 acres, and was chartered 
October 7, 1761, to William Noycs and sixty-nine others, the majority 
of whom belonged to Lyme, Conn. Joseph Tobbs, Samuel and John 
Gustin, N. Royce, N. Miller, Nathan Huntley, Solomon Mack, Solomon 
(ice, and Eber Lewis were among the earliest inhabitants. In March, 
1766, the first town-meeting was convened. The first settlers were 
Baptists, and soon organized a church, over which a minister was set- 
tled in January, 1778. A Congregational meeting-house was afterwards 
built, and a church of six members organized in 1823, which is now ex- 
tinct. 

The surface is undulating, and the soil, which is rocky to some extent, 
excellent for grass ; but will produce grain and vegetables. Marlow is 
watered by Ashuelot river, which courses through nearly the entire 
length, and is bordered by considerable tracts of productive interval. 
The town has one village, known by the name of Marlow: two clmreh 
edifices — Christian and Methodist ; ei<,dit school districts ; the Marlo'x- 
Academy, under the supervision of the Methodist denomination ; and 



574 HISTORY AXD DESCRII'TIUX OF NEW EXGLAXD. 

one post-ofTifo : also, two t-xtfiisivo tanneries, seven saw-mills, one large 
earriage shop, a grist-mill, and one tin shop. Population, 708 ; valua- 
tion, $251,855. 

Mason, Hillsborough eounty, in the extreme southern part of the 
state, forty-three rniles from Concord, was chartered August 26, 1768, 
and was originally known by the name of No. 1. Settlements were 
begun in 1751, and the next year Enoch Lawrence, from Peppcrell, 
Mass., permanently located here. Nathan Hall and Jonathan Foster 
were early inhabitants, and lived to a very ripe age. The Congrega- 
tional church, in 1772, was the first one formed, and comprised twelve 
males and nine females. A meeting-house was erected three or four 
years from the date of the charter ; and, though the inhabitants were 
scantily supplied with human comforts, they early manifested a desire 
to contribute of their limited means for the permanent establish- 
ment of religion among them. The settlement, instead of being 
formed in a compact manner, was scattered, which precluded for 
some time the organization of schools for the children. The will, how- 
ever, soon overcame these obstacles, and the institutions of learning 
and religion were soon working their beneficent influences. Rev. 
Ebenezer Hill was pastor and associate pastor of the Congregational 
church from November 3, 1790, up to the time of his decease, a period 
of sixty-four years, seven months, and seventeen days. 

Mason contains 18,860 acres, the surface of which is uneven, being 
composed of large swells, with narrow valleys intervening. The 
meadows were formerly beaver ponds. The soil in some pai-fs is strong 
and deep, and in other parts shallow; that on the highlands was 
severely injured by fires prior to settlement. Taking it as a whole. 
Mason possesses many agricultural advantages. The majority of the 
streams, of which Souhcgan is the principal, are rapid. Mason Village 
and Mason Centre are the names of the largest business points. The 
former lies on the Souhegan river, which supplies excellent water power, 
there being a fall of eighty feet in a distance of eighty rods. As vet 
this power is but partially improved. The Columbian Manufacturing 
Company has a cajjital stock of §200,000; has 175 looms and 6,200 
spindles, and manufactures 1,250,000 yards of cotton cloth annually. 
Besides this rompanv, there are two grist-mills ajid five saw-mills, as 
well as a large shoe manufactory, and one of japanned tin wai-e. The 
Congregationalists have two meeting-houses, the Baptists one, and the 
Christians one; there are nine school districts, and two post-oificcs — 
INIisoii Centre ami Mason A'illage. The Peterborough and Shirley 
Railroad has its terminus at the principal village. Mason, from her 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWX OF MEREDITH. 575 

many advantages, lias tlic prospect before lier of becoming a ftrst-rate 
manufactm-ing town. Population, 1,62G; valuation, 8-534,578. 

Meredith, Belknap county, aliout thirty-tiiree miles from Concord, is 
bounded by New Hampton and Centre Harbor upon tiie norlli and 
west, and Lake Winnepesauki'e upon the east. Prior to the incorpo- 
ration of Laconia out of its peninsular part, in 1855, it contained about 
36,000 acres, in which the waters of (!reat bay were included. On 
the 3ist of December, 1748, the purchasers of Mason's Patent conveyed 
by vote the tract of land afterwards incorporated as Meredith to eighty 
proprietors, which contained the usual reservations of shares, and 
conditions to secure its settlement and improvement. Among the 
reservations was an allotment of six acres for a meeting-house, 
school-lR)use, training-field, a burying-ground, and for other public 
purposes. The first settlement was jjrobably made at the Weirs, — 
a village at the outlet of the lake, — by .Jacoi) Eaton and Colonel 
Ebenezer Smith, in 176(3. Others soon followed. The first native of 
the town was a daughter of Eaton, bora March 11, 1767. Daniel, son 
of Colonel Smith, was born .Inly 4 the same yi>ar. The town was 
incorporated, at first, under the name of New Salem, December 
21, 1768; and the first town-meeting was held March 20, 1769, at 
which William Mead was chosen moderator, Colonel Smith town 
clerk, and the latter and Reuben Morgan selectmen. The officers 
were for many years chosen by hand vote. At the annual meeting in 
1773, the town voted to raise six Spanish milled dollars to hire 
schooling for the year, but without erecting a school-house. The 
teacher for many years taught at private houses in different parts of the 
town. In 1778, Meredith was divided into three school districts, cor- 
responding with the three divisions of the town, and $80 were raised 
for the support of schools, which thenceforth were ojjened for the re- 
ception of all desiring their benefits. 

From the lateness of the settlement, little could be expected of the 
few inhabitants here in support of the Revolution ; but they were 
patriotic, and universally espoused the cause of their country. They 
funnshed and supported men, giving them the ordinary wages and a 
liberal bounty. May 5, 1775, they voted "to raise ten men to hold 
themselves in readiness to march to the aid of their distressed country- 
men ; and that the selectmen purchase a barrel of powder, and bullets 
and flints answering thereto." The next year a committee of safety 
was appointed, and £45 sterling were voted for the support of the 
war. In April, 1777, the town again voted (fifty voters being present), 
to raise their quota of men, and give them each a bounty of XIO 



-576 HISTORY AND DEsrrarTioN of new exglaxd. 

stcrliiii^. In 1778, money was voted to pay continental soklicrs who 
slionltl enlist dvn-ing the war. Thus they sought every occasion to show 
their willingness to sacriliee lite and property in maintenance of the 
liberties of tlie people. 

Tiie first pioneers neglected, at the outset, to bring with them a 
ininisTer oi' the gospel, the unhappy eftects of which are felt to the 
jiresent da v. Yet, in the year 1775, a vote was passed to raise £6 
lawful money, to be applied to hire preac^hing some part of the year. 
Repeated attempts were made to build a meeting-house, but they failed 
until 17S()-S7, when one was built at Laconia Parade. Its loca- 
tion was on the road between Meredith Bridge and Meredith Village, 
four miles from the latter and five from the former. A church of nine 
members was organized August 30, 1792, over which Rev. Simon F. 
\Yilliams was installed pastor, November 28, of that year, and dis- 
missed Auijust 28, 1798. for •' unministerial and unchristian conduct." 
Tiie church soon liccame extinct, and but little now remains to mark 
the spot but an old, dilapidated meeting-house. Other societies have, 
however, sprung up in other parts of the town. 

Meredith is favorably located for business advantages, being upon a 
large navigable body of water, and traversed by the Boston, Concord, 
and Montreal Railroad, which has tAvo stations here. The waters of 
Great bay and the lake are abundantly supplied with excelleiu fish of 
various kinds. The scenery is iinsuri)assed for beauty and variety. 
The eye never tires, nor docs the spirit flag, in contemplating it. The 
surface of the town is uneven, but not mountainous. The roads are 
well mad(^ and kept in good order. The soil is as good as a granite 
region can aflbrd, and well adapted to grass. The tilled crops are 
chiefly corn, wheat, rye, and i)otatoes. Mucii fruit is grown, partic- 
ularly apples. The inhabitants are farmers, mechanics, and merchants 
of an industrious and enterprising character, many of them being 
wealtiiy. 

There are two villages — Meredith Village and Meredith Centre, 
witii a ])ost-ofllce at each, of the same name. At Meredith Village are 
seven stores, a saw-mill, srist-mill, shingle mill, blacksmith shop, harness- 
maker's shop. Tannery, and public-house. The railroad passes on the 
south side of the village, and the steamer Dover connects it with 
several places on the lake, and with the Cochecho Railroad at Alton ; 
by which means it is made cjuite a resort for summer visitors at the 
lakes. :Measley pond, near this village, is a sheet of water four miles 
long, and from one to two miles wide. Its outlet furnishes a valuable 
water power at the village, where there are probably six hundred 
inhabitants. At Meredith Centre, situated at the north end of Great 



NEW ILiMPSmRE TOWS OF JIEKRIMACK. 577 

bay and containing some two hnndred inhaliitants, there are two 
stores, a saw-mill, grist-mill, and blacksmith shop. The town has seven 
chm-ch edifices — two Congregational, one Baptist, and four Free-will 
Baptist; and eighteen school districts. In 1790, the population was 
881; in 1800, 1,609; in 1810, 1,941; in 1820, 2,416; in 1830, 2,683; 
in 1840, 3,344; and in 1850, 3,521 ; being, at the last date, the eigiith 
town in the state. The incorporation of Laconia has probably left to 
it upwards of 2,000 inhabitants. Valuation, $577,565. 

Merrijiack, Hillsborough county, twenty-seven miles from Concord, 
is situated on the west bank of the Merrimack river, and joins Nashua 
on the north. All that part of this town, lying south of the Souhegan 
river, was included in the grant to Dunstable, from which it was set off, 
with Litchfield, in July, 1734. It continued to form ]iart of Litchfield 
until June 5, 1749, when it was incorporated separately. It was, like 
the town from which it was set off, called, by the tribe of Indians who 
inhabited the territory, Naticook. In July, 1729, Captain Joseph Blan- 
chard and others received a grant of all that part of the town lying on the 
north side of the Souhegan ; and, in the year 1733, all the grants lying 
north of Pennichuck brook, and including a part of Amherst, were at 
first called Souhegan East, then Rumford, and latterly Merrimack. On 
the 2d of April, 1746, it received a charter from the legislature of the 
state of which it comprises a part. About the year 1722, the first white 
settlers made this their abode ; and among the names are Usher, Has- 
sell, and Chamberlain. About 1670, John Cromwell built a trading- 
house about two miles above Pennichuck brook, at the falls which now 
bear his name, and commenced a very profitable traffic with the natives. 
Cromwell, sensible to his own interests, but with little regard to those of 
his Indian customers, used his foot as a pound weight in the purchase 
of furs ; and his honesty being suspected by the savages, they drove 
him away and burned his house, the cellar of which is still, or was 
recently, visible. The first churc-h was a Congregational, formed Sep- 
tember 5, 1771, Rev. Jacob Burnap, D. D., being ordained pastor, October 
14, 1772, in which honorable position he remained till his death, Decem- 
ber 6, 1821, a period of forty-nine years and two months. 

Among the distinguished men who have been residents of Merri- 
mack may be mentioned Hon. Matthew Thornton,^ one of the signers 
of the Declaration, and the president of the convention which met at 

' "^'hen tlie Kew Hampshire logislatuvo mc-t at Amherst in ITfiS, .Tiidcre Thornton was 
a fre(iMent attendant at the sittings. While there, he one time happened to meet a friend 

VOL. I. 49 



078 HISTORY AXD DESCRIPTIOX OF XKW EXc;L\XD. 

Exeter and assnined The government of the colony in the name of 
the people. He was of ycotch-Iri^h descent, but emigrated to this 
country at an early age ; and was a colonel in the military, besides 
being an eminent physician. Mr. Thornton held several other impor- 
tant olRees. His death occurred while he was on a visit to Newburyport, 
Mass., June 24, 1803, at the age of eighty-eight. E. G. Lutwyche, an 
English gentleman of education and property, resided in Merrimack 
before 1776, and was colonel of the regiment in 1775. On the declara- 
tion of independence he left the country, and his estate was confiscated. 
Hon. James B. Thornton, a grandson of Hon. Matthew Thornton, who 
died at Callao, Peru (where he was charge d'affiiires for the Ignited 
States), January 25, 1S3S, represented Merrimack in the legislature, and 
was speaker of the house of representatives of this state ; he was also 
second comptroller of the United States treasury. 

The smface of Merrimack is generally of a level character, and the 
soil in many parts is very fertile, especially the intervals along the river. 
At the mouth of Souhegan is a valuable water privilege, on which two 
factories have been erected, both which have been destroyed by fire. 
There are other water jnivileges upon this river. Leghorn bonnets 
■were first manufactured in this region by the Misses Burnap, of this 
town, to whom much credit is due for their skill and enterprise. There 
are two meeting-houses (Congregational), twelve school districts, and 
twelve schools ; the ]\Ierrimack Normal Institute ; four villages — 

of his from a neighboring town, who, though possessed of moderate abilities, frequently 

endeavored to overrate them. In the course of conversation, Mr. D asked tlie judge, 

if he was not of opinion that the legislature had improved since he (Mr. Thornton) 
occupied a seat in that body, and if it did not then possess more men of natural and 
acquired abilities, and more cIo(iuent speakers, than it did when he (Mr. Thornton) was 
a member. " For then," said he, " you know there were but five or six who could make 
speeches ; but now, all our fanners can make speeches." To this question, Judge Tliorn- 
ton, with his accustomed good-humor, replied : " To answer that question, 1 will tell you a 
stoiy I remember to have heard related of an old gentleman, a farmer, who lived but a 
short distance from my father's residence in Ireland. This gentleman was very exem- 
plaiy in his observance of religious duties, and made it a constant practice to read a jior- 
tion of Scripture every morning and evening, before addressing the throne of grace. It 
happened, one morning, that he was reading the chapter which gives an account of Sam- 
son's catching three hundred foxes, when the old lady, his wife, interrupted him by say- 
ing, ' John ! I 'm sure that canna be true ; for our Isaac was as good a fox-hunter as there 
ever was in the country, and he never caught but about twanty.' — ' Ilooh ! Janet,' re- 
plied the old gentleman, ' ye manna' always tak' the Scripture just as it reads. Perhaps 
in the three hundred, there might ha' been aughteen, or may be twanty, that ware raal 
foxes, the rest were all skunks and woodchucks. ' " — Ilistorij of Londonderr'j, by Rev. 
E. L. Parker. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE MERRIMACK COUNTY. 579 

Reed's Feny, Thornton's Ferry, Souliegan, and South Rlorrimaclv ; and 
tliree post-olHc-es — Reed's Ferry, Thornton's Ferry, and South Merri- 
mack : also, five saw-mills, three grist-mills, and one ear[)et factory. The 
Nashua and Lowell Railroad passes through the village of South Mer- 
rimack. Population, 1,250 ; valuation, ^530,826. 

Merrimack County, having a central situation in the southerly part of 
New Hampshire, contains about nine hundred square miles. It was 
established by act passed July 1, lS2o, whieii took ten towns from Rock- 
ingham and thirteen from Hillsborough county to create this new 
division. 'J'he boundaries, as established by the act of January o, 1829, 
dividing the state into counties, are as follows : " Beginning at the 
northeast corner of Franklin ; thence southerly and easterly by the 
county of Strafford to the cotmty of Rockingham ; thence southwesterly 
by the county of Rockingham to the county of Hillsborough; thence 
westerly and southerly by the comity of Hillsborough to the northwest 
corner of the town of Hillsborough ; thence northerly by the westerly 
lines of Bradford, Fishersfield (Newbury), New London, and Wiliuot to 
the county of Grafton; thence southerly and easterly by the county t)f 
Grafton to the bounds first mentioned." By these bounds, it will be 
seen that the county is very irregularly shaped ; hut not more so than 
most of the counties in New Hampshire. It has now twenty-four 
towns. Concord, the capital of the state, being the shire town. 

Merrimack county has an uneven surface, and in the northerly part it 
is rough and mountainous ; but the soil is equal, if not superior, to that 
of the other counties as regards fertility, and is generally well culti- 
vated. In 1850, Merrimack raised 231,610 bushels of corn ; a larger 
quantity than was raised in any other county during the same period. 
Kearsarge mountain and the Ragged mountains are the most noted ele- 
vations, the former rising 2,400, and the latter two thousand, feet from 
the general level of the country. Merrimack river intersects the county ; 
besides which there are the Contoocook, Suncook, and other smaller 
streams, most of which furnish a good water power. There is also a 
large number of lakes or ponds, the most considerable of which is 
Lake Sunapee. The Northern, the Boston, Concord, and Montreal, the 
Portsmouth and Concord, the Concord and Claremont, the Contoocook 
Valley, and the New Hampshire Central Railroads, traverse the county, 
most of which connect at Concord. 

The county belongs to the second judicial district. A law term of 
the supreme judicial court is held at Concord on the first Tuesday of 
December annually. The trial terms of this court commence at Con- 
cord on the first Tuesday of February and the third Tuesday of 



580 JIISTORY AND DE.SCKIPTIOX OF MEW EX«LAXD. 

August; an<] the terms of ilic court of coininoii pleas on tlie third Tues- 
day of March and the third Tuesday of Uctoljer each )ear. Popula- 
tion, 40,oo7 ; valuation, «i"».'>lS,-J9'J. 

MiDDLETOX, in the northern part of Strafford rounty, forty miles from 
Concord, contains 9,840 acres. It was incorporated March 4, 1778, 
the first settlers coming from Lee and Rochester, in the same county. 
The surface is level with one exception, a ))art of Moose mountain 
separating it from Brookfield. Bald mountain and Parker mountain 
adjoin it on its northern margin. The soil is unfit for cultivation, 
being rocky and sterile. A reservoir is supplied by a branch of 
Cochecho river. Cider is made in considerable quantities, and maple 
sugar to some extent. Middleton has one village — Middleton Corner ; 
four school districts, one post-olllcc, and one Free-will Baptist church 
edifice: also, one maimfactory, with a capital of §2,o00. Population, 
476 ; valuation, 8140,238. 

INIiLAX, in the eastern part of Coos county, 1-30 miles froiu the 
capital of the state, has an area of 31,154 acres, and was chartered to 
Sir William Mayne and others, December 31, 1771, under the name 
of Paulsburgh, by which it was known until December 16, 1824, when 
it was incorijorated under its present name. Though there are some 
considerable mountains, the town is comparatively level. The Andros- 
coggin river passes through the town, and furnishes abundance of 
water. Its tributaries are the Chickwalneppee, Leavitt, and Stearns 
rivers. There are several ponds, of which the principal is known as 
Cedar. Tiiere is one village, called East Milan ; one church edifice 
(Methodist), eight school districts, and two post-offices — Milan and 
"West Milan. The Grand Trunk Railway, which passes through the 
town, has stations at Milan and West Milan. There are four saw-mills 
and one shingle, lath, and clapboard mill. Pojjulation, 493 ; valuation, 
1161,732. 

MiLFORD, towards the southeastern part of Hillsborough county, 
thirty-one miles from Concord, is situated on both sides of Sou began 
river. Milford originally belonged to Amherst, and was called the 
Southwest Parish. It was separately incorporated January 11, 1794, 
and includes what was originally known as the Mile Slip and Dux- 
bury school farm. Several families from Hollis were also annexed to 
Milford. John Burns, William Peabody, Benjamin Hopkins, Caleb 
Jones, Nathan Hutchinson, and Andrew Bradford were among those 
who early settled here. Captain Josiah Crosby, a Revolutionary 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF MILLSFIELD. 581 

officer, who died October 15, 1793, and William Walbce, who died 
ill 1791, were among the first inhabitants. The Congregational church, 
the first one in town, was organized in 178S, and then had nineteen 
members. Humphrey Moore was ordained pastor, October lo, 1802, 
and continued to officiate as such till the beginning of the year 1836, 
about one third of a century, when he was dismissed for some trivial 
cause. At the close of his pastorate, the church consisted of 225 
members. Part of Amherst was annexed to Milford, December 20, 1842. 
Milford has an uneven surface and a productive soil, with some 
rich and fertile interval along the baiiUs of the Souhegan river, which, 
besides furnishing the needful supply of water, has excellent mill 
privileges. Fruit-raising is a large item in the productive industry 
of the place, and it is said that in one season sixty-two bushels of 
apples were taken from one tree. Large quantities of hops are also 
raised, the intervals on the Souhegan being principally devoted to their 
culture. There are two meeting-houses — Congregational and Baptist ; 
eight school districts ; a high school ; and one post-office. Manufac- 
turing is prosecuted to a moderate extent. The Souhegan Maimfac- 
turiiig Company has a capital of $150,000, runs five thousand spindles 
and 120 looms, and manufactures 1,100,000 yards of denims anmuilly ; 
the Milford Manufacturing Company had a capital of $30,000, nine 
hundred spindles and thirty looms, and made about 250,000 yards of 
ticking ; but their mills have recently been purchased by the Souhegan 
Company. There are nine saw-mills, one grist-mill, five shingle and 
clapboard mills, two manufactories of tin ware, three boot and 
shoe manufactories, two carriage factories, one iron foundery, two 
tanneries, one agricultural implement manufactory, one furniture fac- 
tory, one printing office, and a bank (capital -iiilOOjOOO). The Nashua 
and Wilton Railroad passes through Milford. Population, 2,159 ; valu- 
ation, 1 1,013,334. 

MiLLSFiELD, in the eastern part of Co<is county, adjoining Errol, 
is 150 miles from Concord, and contains 23,200 acres. It was 
granted March 1, 1774, to George Boyd and eighty-one others, 
among whom was Sir Thomas Mills ; and from him the town received 
its name. In the northern part there are some mountains ; in fact, the 
whole town has an uneven surface. The soil is strong, but somewhat 
cold. Its northern extremity is watered by Clear stream, while Phil- 
lips river, and several smaller streams, perform a like service for the 
other parts. There are a few ponds, the largest of which is three 
hundred rods long and 140 in width. The population has ever 
been small, and of the migratory species, while the productive in- 
^ 49* 



582 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF 'NEW ENGLAND. 

dustry is connncnsuratn will) it. In 1S50, the census gave no account 
of inliabitaiits ; in lS,j7, tlici-u were two persons here. Valuation, 
$12,100. 

Milton, in the southeastern part of Strafford county, is an irregular- 
shaped town, containing 27,000 acres, and is forty miles from Concord. 
It formerly belonged to Rochester, from which it was set off and incor- 
porated June 11, 1802. The original settlers came principally from 
Dover, Madbury, Rochester, and towns in that vicinity, and were a 
hardy, industrious, and intelligent people, early manifesting an interest 
in the cause of religion and education. The Congregational church 
was organized September 8, 1815, under the lal)ors of Rev. Curtis Coe, 
who continued to preach as long as he was able ; bvtt prior to his settle- 
ment they had occasional preaching. With the exception of Teneriffe 
mountain, which runs along the east part, the surface is comparatively 
level, and the soil good for pasturage. This is an agricultural comnni- 
nity, and stock is raised to some extent. Salmon Falls river runs along 
the whole eastern boundary, thirteen miles, while a branch of the same 
river crosses from the south part of Wakefield, uniting near the centre 
of the eastern boundary. Milton pond and Gould pond are the only 
bodies of water. There are three villages — Milton Three Ponds, 
Soitth Milton, Goodwinville, and Milton Mills; two church edifices — 
Congregational and Christian ; twelve school districts, and three post- 
offices— Milton, Milton Mills, and West Milton. The Milton Mills, 
with a capital of -$50,000, have eighteen looms and 1,200 spindles, and 
maimfacture woollen and cotton goods to the amount of 690,000. The 
boot and shoe business is also prosecuted to a considerable extent, there 
being about 6480,000 invested. The Great Falls and Conway Rail- 
road passes through Milton. Population, 1,629 ; valuation, $494,066. 

Monroe, in the northwest corner of Grafton county, was the west 
part of Lyman, from which it was incorporated, July 13, 1854. The 
original township exceeded six miles square, of which Monroe has more 
than one third. This town occupies one of the most picturesque sites 
upon Connecticut river, extending from the foot of Fifteen-mile Falls, 
upon the north (where the river receives the waters of the Passumpsic, 
and gracefully swells out into the width of a mile, enclosing twenty-one 
islands), to Mclndoe's Falls, on the south. The line between Lyman 
and Monroe nearly follows the coturse of Gardner mountain, which ex- 
tends some fourteen miles, and has a general height of about 1,230 feet. 
The peak near the southwest part of Monroe is called Hunt's mountain. 
Israel Olmstcad, son of Jabez Olmstead, from England, is believed to 



NEW nAMPSnrRE — town of MONT VERNON. 583 

have been the first settler. He came before 1774. His son Timothy 
came soon after, and settled where the village now is. Charles, son of 
Timothy, was born here, December 5, 1774. The only village, called 
Monroe Plain, is at Mclndoe's Falls, where extensive business is done 
in the manvifacture of lumber. There are four saw-miUs, a grist-mill, 
shingle mill, lath-mill, planiiig-machine, board-matching machines, &c. 
There are two post-offices — Monroe and North Monroe ; one church 
edifice, Union (in the north part, the people at tlie village attending wor- 
ship at Barnet) ; and six school districts. Population, in 1854, about 
750 ; valuation, $205,238. 

MoxT Veknon, near the centre of Hillsborough county, twenty-eigiir 
miles from Concord, contains 7,975 acres, and was formerly known as 
Campbell's Gore. It was originally a part of Amherst, ii-om which it 
was separated and formed into a distinct municipality, December 15, 
1803. Its settlement was almost contemporary with that of the parent 
town, having been commenced about 17()5. James Woodbury was the 
first settler upon the hills, and erected iiis rude dwelling a little south of 
the spot where the church now stands, and soon after put up the first 
framed house. Isaac Smith and Jonathan Lampson were among those 
who early lent their energies to the development of the resources of 
what is now Mont Vernon. The people were compelled to attend 
church, in the first years of the settlement, at Amherst ; but though the 
road was six or seven miles in length and rather crooked, they seldom 
failed to be present at serviee on Sunday, walking in summer, and 
travelling on tiieir ox sleds in winter. The first clmrch (a Congrega- 
tional) was formed about 1781, and Rev. John Bruce, a divine much 
respected, commenced his labors about the summer or fall of 1784. 
The lot of ground on which the meeting-house now stands, and one for 
a burying-ground, were presented by James Woodbury. The meeting- 
house was occupied when it was but partially finished, — the floor tim- 
bers not having been laid, and tlie windows barricaded with but loose 
boards. Daniel Adams, M. D., who was the originator and conductor 
of a periodical entitled " The Medical and Agricultural Register," and 
tlie author of a system of arithmetic,^ and several other school-books, 
was a resident of Mont Vernon. Part of Lyndeborough was annexed 
to the town, January 5, 1853. 

Mont Vernon lies upon an eminence, and has a delightful situation, 
as well as a beautiful prospect of towns and villages in the Merrimack 
and Souhegan valleys. Sunrise in summer brings to view a vast 



ex- 



' There are but few of the schoollioys of the last generation in New England who 
ire not acquainted with Adams's Arithmetic. 



584 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

panse, including the beantifnl villages of Massachusetts; while from the 
spire of the church, or the cupola of Appleton academy, with the assist- 
ance of a glass, can be seen the snow-white sails upon the distant 
ocean. The name is a fit emblem of the spot; for, clustering around 
this eminence are numerous farms, in the mild seasons clad in the 
richest verdure. The soil is similar to that of the towns in the iimncdi- 
ate neighborhood. There is but one small stream here, rising in the 
north part, and running through near the eastern extremity of Amherst, 
emptying into Souhegan river in that town. That portion of this 
stream near its mouth was named by the Indians Quohquinapassakes- 
sanannagnog. The Congregational meeting-house is the only one here. 
Mont Vernon contains five school districts, the Appleton Academy, and 
one post-office : also, a writing-desk and fancy box manufactory, twelve 
mechanic shops, one tannery, two saw-mills, and one shingle, lath, and 
clapboard mill. Population, 7:22 ; valuation, |;298,092. 

MotTLTONBORorGH, in the western part of Carroll county, on 1he north- 
west border of Winnepesaukee lake, is fifty miles from Concord, and 
was granted November 17, 1763, under the authority of the JMasonian 
proprietors, to Colonel Jonathan Moulton and sixty-one others, inhab- 
itants of Hampton. Ezekiel Moulton and several others commenced 
settlements in 1674. A house of public worship was built in 1773, 
tut was prostrated by a violent east wind in December, 1819. A 
Congregational church was organized on the 12th of March, 1777, over 
which, in October, 1778, Rev. Samuel Perley was settled as pastor, who 
continued but a few months. He was succeeded, November 17, 1779, 
by Rev. Jeremiah Bhaw, who served the church for about fifty-eight 
years, fifty-two of which he was pastor. Mr. Shaw published a \\ork 
in answer to Ballon on the Atonement, entitled, " Great is the Mystery of 
Godliness." He died in 1834, aged eighty-seven years and nine months. 
Rev. Joshua Dodge followed Mr. Shaw, having been settled February 
27, 1828, being alive at the present time, and officiating in the pulpit 
occasionally. Many evidences of this place having been once a great 
Indian rendezvous have been found. A curious gun-barrel, eaten by 
rust and much worn, was discovered on a small island in AVinnepe- 
saukee. It had no stock, and was inclosed in the body of a pitch-pine 
tree, sixteen inches in diameter. A dirk, with a round blade, a foot and 
a half long from the point to the hilt, and bearing strong evidences of 
antiquity, was discovered in 1819, in a field, one foot under ground. 
At the mouth of Melvin river, on the shore of Winnepesaukee lake, 
an immense skeleton was exhumed about fifty years since, apparently 
that of a man seven feet high. During the clearing of some land 



NEW H.\MPSIIIUE CITV OF NASHUA. 585 

about thirty-four years ago, a mound was discovered, mucli resembliiiir 
a luiman grave, rounded with snuiU stones, not found in this section of 
country, and so compactly placed as to be inseparable by striking an 
ordinary blow with a crow-bar. The Ossipee Indians had their resi- 
dence in Moulton borough at one time, and a tree, on which was carved 
in hieroglyphics the history of their expeditions, was standing, within 
Ihe memory of some of the present inhabitants. 

Moultonborough has a surface made up in part of mountains and 
ponds. In the western part lies Great Squam pond, and in the south 
are Squam and Long ponds, connected with the latter of which is a 
neck of valuable land projecting into Winnepesaukee lake some distance. 
Towering up some two thousand feet above the level of the sea is 
Red Hill, formed of a beautiful sienite, in which the feldspar is of a 
gray-ash color. On its summit is a thick growth of Miw vrsi and low 
blueberry bushes, which, in the fall of the year, turn their color, giving the 
mountain a reddish hue, from which fact, probably, it derived its name. 
This mountain is visited, in the summer season, by mmierous persons, 
attracted hither by the extensive and delightful views to be obtained 
from its summit. Ossipee mountain lies partly in Moultonborough, and 
is an elevation of commanding heigiit, on the south side of which is a 
mineral spring. About a mile north of this is another spring, sixteen 
feet in diameter, the water of which is clear and cold, and is continually 
thrown to the height of two feet, interspersed with particles of pure 
white sand. Water power is furnished by this spring. On the stream, 
a short distance below, is a fall of water of nearly seventy feet, and 
very beautiful. On the left of the fall, while descending, a cave is 
approached, containing charcoal and other evidences of its having been 
a resort of the Indians. Red Hill river passes through Moultonborough, 
and Squam and Winnepesaukee lakes are partly in the town. There 
are two villages — the Corner and the Falls; four meeting-houses — 
two Congregational, one Methodist, and one occupied by the Metho- 
dists and Ilniversalists jointly ; seventeen school districts and two 
post-offices — Moultonborough and East Moultonborough : also, one 
grist-mill, three saw-mills, oiie hotel, and foiu stores. Population, 
1,748 ; valuation, |)o41,3o8. 

Nashi:a, Hillsborough county, is situated on the west side of Merri- 
mack river, and was called Dunstable until 1836. It originally em- 
braced a large extent of territory, comprising the towns of Nashua, 
HoUis, Merrimack, and Hudson in New Hampshire, and Tyngsborougli 
and Dunstable in Massachusetts, as well as portions of Pelham, Litch- 
field, Milford, Brookline, and Peppcrell. This territory was granted in 



586 HISTORY AND DESCRIl'TION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

different lots to various individuals by the state of Massachusetts ; and, 
as there appeared little ])robabinty that much good would result froni 
tliese grants in the hands of so many parties, in September, 1673, The 
proprietors of the farms already laid out, and others who were disposed 
to settle here, presented a petition to the general assembly of Massachu- 
setts, praying tliat said territory miglit be granted to them, wliich prayer 
was acceded to on the 26th of October, 1673. Among the original pro- 
prietors were several of the leading men in the colony, some of whom, 
with the children and friends of others, removed here and took up tiieir 
abode at an early period. Of this number were Governor Dudley, 
Rev. Tliomas Weld, Thomas Brattle, Peter ^ulkcly, Hezekiah Usher, 
Elisha Hutchinson, and Francis Cook. Rlany of the first settlers came 
from Boston and vicinity, a circumstance which gave strength and inllu- 
ence to the infant settlement. 

At what time Nashua was first settled is uncertain ; but it must have 
been considerably earlier than the date of the charter in 16/3, as some 
of "the farmers" were among the petitioners for said charter. After the 
charter was obtained, the inhabitants increased rapidly ; and the proprie- 
tors made liberal grants to actual settlers. The act of incorporation 
was passed in 1693. During the Lidian war of 1675, in consequence 
of the dread entertained of the savages, all the inhabitants, except Jona- 
than Tyng, abandoned the place. This pioneer, with a resolution 
worthy of all jiraise, determined to defend his habitation against the 
assaults of the Indians, and with this purpose fortified his house. In 
February, 1676, he petitioned the colony for aid in the defence he had 
so bravely begun, which was granted immediately, and a guard of sev- 
eral men despatched to his relief, which remained during the war. Tlie 
settlement was therefore never entirely abandoned, and Tyng was the 
earliest pennanent settler within the limits of Dunstable. 

During the successive wars with the Indians, from the position of 
this town as a frontier settlement, the inhabitants were continually in a 
state of alarm and dread from the attacks of the savages. In the war 
with the famous Narragansett sachem, Nashua"was much exposed, and 
some of the inhabitants fled to older settlements. From 1691 to 1698, 
several attacks were made by the savages, in which many of the inhabi- 
tants were brutally murdered ; but, the town being pretty well garrisoned, 
their attacks were met with determined resistance on the part of the 
settlers. In 1698, peace was declared, which lasted until 1703. During 
the remainder of this war, there is no authentic account of any attack, 
although there were occasional alartns. Dunstable must have been 
peculiarly fortitnate to escape unharmed, while Dover, Portsmouth, 
Exeter, and other places in the immediate neighborhood, were ravaged 



NEW HAMPSHIRE CITY OF NASHUA. 



587 



almost yearly. It is not probable that such was the case; and, though 
most of the personal and local history of the day is forgotten, there are 
vague hints in anc'ient chronicles and records, and vaguer traditions, 
nameless and dateless, which indicate, that, were the history of the first 
half century of Nashua (or Dunstable) fully told, it would prove a 
thrilling romance. The celebrated expedition under the brave Captain 
.lolni Lovewell,! which met with such a disastrous defeat at Lovewell's 
pond iu Fryeburg, Me., was organized here, and seven of the number, 
principally otiicers, belonged to this place. But one of the immber, 
Xoah Johnson, survived; all the otliers being killed, or so severely 
wounded that they lived but a short time. The story of "worthy Cap- 
tain Lovewell " was the subject of many a ballad, and was sung at 
every fireside. The mother taught it to her child to excite in him a 
liatred of the " Indian enemy," and to set before him an exaiuple of 
valor and patriotism, which he was to imitate when he became a man. 

During these trying and exciting contests with the Indians, it was 
hardly to be expected that the settlement would advance. Fear and 
desolation reigned everywhere. Compelled to dwell in garrisons, and to 
labor at the constant peril of life, how could the settlers thrive, or who 
could be expected to emigrate to what might be termed "the dark and 



^'^^ 



^.=^15- -^^rtN, ) ^ 



i ^m.,;^ ^— 




W( iki of Njshui Ircn I ompany (See p &n ) 



bloody ground?" In 1741, the fear of attack having somewhat abated, 
the settlement steadily increased ; but the inhabitants were extremely 



* See article on Fryeburg, Me. 



588 



HISTORY AND DESCRIPTIOX OF NEW ENGLAND. 



poor, in consequence of the heavy public taxes, and from the obstruction 
of all regular employment. In 1753, Dunstable contained one hundred 




Giise, Warner, and Whitney's Machine-shop. (See page 691.) 

and nine polls, and its valuation was ,£3,795. During the French war, 
several companies from Dunstable joined the New Hampshire regi- 
ments, both which were commanded by citizens of tliis town, 
Colonels Joseph Blanchard and Zaccheus Lovewell, brother of Captain 
John Lovewell. These companies participated in the capture of 
Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Several of the inhabitants also joined 
" Rogers's Rangers," than which there has been no company more 
famous in tiie annals of America. 

In the long succession of encroachments which preceded and caused 
the Revolution, the inhabitants were not indifferent. They had watched 
the storm as it gathered, and knew its consequences were momentous. 
In September, 1774, it was voted to raise a supply of ammunition ; and 
Jonathan Lovewell was sent as a delegate to the convention which 
met at Exeter for the purpose of sending delegates to the first conti- 
nental congress. Into every thing pertaining to the struggle they en- 
tered, not only with their means, but with their whole hearts ; and, in all 
the military movements in which New Hampshire took part, the citi- 
zens of Nashua were most zealous. Soon after the battle of Lexington, 
a company was formed in Cambridge, forty of whom were from this town. 
The whole male population at this time, capable of bearing arms, was 
only 128; so that nearly one half of them were engaged in the strug- 
gle. In fact, almost every male inhabitant, either as a volunteer on an 



NEW HAJIPSHIRE CITY OF NASHUA. 589 

alarm, or as a drafted man, was at some period in the service. They 
were in ahnost every fight from Bunker Hill to Yorktowii, and tiieir 
bones are mingled with the soil of many a battle-field from Massachu- 
setts to Virginia. From no other town in New Hampshire was there so 
lar^e a number in the army ; and a fact so honorable to their patriotism 
and courage is worthy of being handed down to posterity. 




For a number of years after the close of the war of the Revolution, 
little occurred which would be of general interest. In 1795, there were 
no dwellings where the splendid town of Nashua now stands, and but 
one or two at the Harbor. On the Fourth of July, 1803, the village, 
which was until then called Indian Head, received tlie name of Nashua 
village, and this may be considered the virtual birthday of Nashua. 
The whole plain upon which the city now stands was then covered 
with its native growth of pines, and was considered of but little value, 
being sandy and barren, and offering small inducement for cultivation. 
From this date the settlement was gradual and constant. Improve- 
ments progressed rapidly ; and the enterprise, thrift, and perseverance of 
her sons have brought it to its present condition of prosperity. In 1842, 
that part of the town north of the Nashua river was set off l)y tin' name 
of Nashville, and continued as such until 18.53, when a reunion took 
place, and Nashua received a city charter. A Congregational church, 
the fifth in the state in the order of time, was established in 1685, 
and the Rev. Thomas Weld, the first minister, is su])i50sed to have been 
settled the same year. It consisted of seven men. 

Public attention was first directed towards manufactures, in which 
Nashua is now considerably engaged, in 1820. The idea that first sug- 

YUL. I. 50 



-,90 



]1IST0RY AXD DESCKIPTIOX OF XEW EXdLAND. 



gested itself was that of bnildiiicf mills at Mine falls; and, in l^'22-2o, 
the few individuals who had conceived the idea purchased the greater 
portion of the lands in and around the village and up to the falls, and 
obtained a charter, in June, 182;}, by the name of the Nashua Manufac- 
turing Com])any, having a capital of $1,000,000. From this beginning 
a lar^e class of manufacturing interests have sprung up. The Nashua 
Manufacturing Company has four mills, a view of which is here given. 
They contain 39,882 sjHndles, 1,1:3-j looms, and manufacture 13,000,000 
yards of cloth per annum, use 4,000,000 iwunds of cotton, and their 
pay roll averages 617,000 every four weeks. Their canal is three 
miles long, sixty feet wide, and eight feet deep ; head and fall, tiiirty- 
six feet. There are 850 females and 150 males employed in these mills. 
The savings bank connected with this corporation has about $40,000 
on deposit. In 1845, they erected, in close proximity to their mills, a 
large building, which was for a time occupied as a machine-shop, but 
is now used as a shuttle and bobbin factory. There are about three 
hundred men employed in and about this establishment. 

The Indian Head Mills, a view of which is here given, are situated 




Jackson Company. 

on the Nashua river, near its junction with the Merrimack. The 
land on which the mills are erected was purchased of the Nashua 
Manufacturing Company in ]May, 1825, and a company for the manu- 
facture of woollen goods was incorporated under the name of the " In- 
dian Head Companv." Their works went into operation in 1826. In 
1828, the company "became embarrassed, and the works were stopped. 
The whole proper! V was then disposed of to a n.>w company, which 
\\-as incorporated in 1830 under the name of the Jackson Company. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE CITY OF NASHUA. 591 

Tlie old macliinovy was taken out, and the establishment converted into 
a cotton nianufact(n-y. The capital of this company is $600,000 ; and 
they have two mills, containing 21,000 spindles and 700 looms, wiiich 
aniuially produce 8,000,000 yards of cloth. They irsc 3,500,000 pounds 
of cotton, and employ 425 females and 150 males. In connection with 
these mills is a savings bank, in which $18,000 have been deposited by 
the operatives. 

The Nashua Lock Company does also an extensive business in the 
manufacture of mortise locks and latches, rosewood and composition 
knobs for doors. The principal machine-shop, a view of which is given 
on page 588, is that of Gage, Warner, and Whitney, located on Mol- 
lis street near Main street, in which is manufactured every description 
of machinist's tools, from small engine lathes of four hundred pounds 
weight to those of sixty thousand pounds ; all sizes of planing machines, 
and every kind of stationary and portable steam-engines, boilers, and 
shafting. About seventy-five hands are employed, and the monthly pay 
roll is about 62,000. 

The works of the Nashua Iron Company, a view of which is found 
upon page 587, are located upon the same side of the street as the 
above-described machine-shop, and near to it. This establishment 
manufactures every variety of forged iron used in machine-shops and 
u])on railroads ; also, hammered shapes and shafting of all kinds ; em- 
ploys about forty men, and has a monthly pay roll of iii'2,500. 

The Underhill Edge-Tool Company manufacture all kinds of edge- 
tools, and is one of the largest establishments of the kind in New Eng- 
land. Hartshorn and Ames's Stove Foundery, which has acquired a 
celebrity all over the country, is located here. In this city are also the 
Nashua Foundery Company, which makes castings for machine-shops : 
a Ijrass foundery ; a small cotton manufactory, carried on by Thos. W. 
Gillis ; the Nashua Gas-light Company, with a capital of 675,000 ; the 
Pennichuck Water Works, a bedstead factory, a card and fancy pa- 
per manufactory ; two door, sash, and blind factories ; two shops for 
making tin and sheet iron ware ; one steam saw and planing mill, and 
one propelled by water power, as well as various other mechanical 
establishments of less magnitude. 

Nashua has ten church edifices — three Congi-egational, one Baptist, 
two Methodist, one Universalist, one Unitarian, one Free-will Baptist, 
and one Roman Catholic; one academy, one high school, eleven school 
districts; three banks — the Nashua, the Indian Head, and the Penni- 
chuck, with a combined capital of 6375,000 ; four newspapers — the Tele- 
graph, the Oasis, the Gazette, and the Granite State Register; one fire 



592 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW EXGLAXD. 

insurance comjiany, niid one post-ofiice. The growth of Nashua has 
been of a substantial cliaracter. In thirty-six years the little village of 
fifty souls has increased over one hundred and fifty fold. By the won- 
drous alchemy of skill and enterprise, out of the waters of the Nashua 
and the sands of this pine plain, from some half dozen dwellings have 
been raised up these thronged and beautiful villages. The extensive 
and elegant view of the city presented, was taken from the tower of 
Mount Pleasant school-house, and will at once be recognized as a faith- 
ful transcript from nature. The position of Nashua, and its connection 
with the most populous marts of trade by railroad and steamboats, are 
facilities wiiich cannot be too highly appreciated. Population, in 1850, 
(including Nashville), 8,942, which has probably increased to more than 
10,000 ; valuation, !?-4,483,567. 

Nelson, Cheshire county, on the height of land between Connecticut 
and Merrimack rivers, adjoins Dubhn on the sovith, and is forty miles 
from Concord. It went originally by the name of Monadnock Number 
6, and was granted by the Masonian proprietors. It was incorporated 
February 22, 1774, by the name of Packersfield, from Thomas Packer, 
a large proprietor, which name was altered in Jvme, 1814, to the one it 
now bears. Breed Batchelder and Dr. Nathaniel Batchelder were the 
first settlers, the former having arrived here in 1767, and the latter in 
1768. The earliest church formed was the Congregationalist, in Jan- 
uary, 1781, over which Rev. Jacob Foster, one of the members, was 
ordained pastor, being dismissed November 23, 1791. He died here 
December 3, 1798, aged sixty-six. In the spring of 1793, Rev. Gad 
Newell took charge of the church, and was ordained pastor, June 11, 
1794, being dismissed September 3, 1841. Mr. Newell, during a minis- 
try of forty-two years, did much for the benefit of the church, and was 
greatly beloved and esteemed. 

The surface is uneven, but the land is good for grazing. The streams 
are small. A branch of Ashuelot river rises in the south parf ; and from 
Long pond, lying partly in this town and partly in Hancock, issues a 
branch of Contoocook river. Four ponds furnish the principal mill 
streams. Plumbago has been dug here in considerable quantities. 
There are three villages, know^n as Nelson, Harrisville, and Munson- 
ville ; three church edifices — two Congregational and one Baptist ; 
eight school districts and eight schools ; and three post-offices, one at 
each of the villages : also, one cotton, one woollen, and one chair fac- 
tory ; three shoe manufactories ; one tannery ; and one blacksmitli's 
shop. Population, 750 ; valuation, 6259,472. 




-list. '^ ■ife 













NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF NEW BOSTON, ETC. 593 

New Boston, towards tlie nortlicast of Hillsborougli fouiity, is twenty- 
two miles from Concord, and was granted January 14, 1736, l)v tlie 
state of Massachusetts to inhabitants of Boston, from which circum- 
stance it received its name. It was incorporated by New Hampj^liire, 
February IS, 1763, and the first settlement was begun about the year 
1733. Among the earliest inhabitants were Messrs. Cochran, Wilson, 
Caldwell, McNeil, Person, and Smith; and in twenty-two years from 
the time of its settlement it contained fifty-six persons, a saw and grain 
mill, and thirty-one dwelling-houses, — sufficient evidence that the early 
inhabitants were men of energy and perseverance. The Presbyterian 
church, organized in 1768, was the first religious society. Over this 
ciuu'ch Rev. Solomon Moore, a native of Ireland, educated at Glasgow, 
Scotland, was settled September 6, 1768. Mr. Moore was suspected of 
toryism during the Revolutionary period, was arrested, taken to Exeter, 
and, it is presumed, endured a short imprisonment. He afterwards gave 
in his allegiance to the state, and ministered to the people here till his 
death. May 3, 1803. Rev. Ephraim P. Bradford was ordained pastor, 
February 36, 1806, and contiimed such till his decease, December 15, 
1845. He was a good scholar and a zealous pastor, and at one time his 
name was proposed to fill the vacancy of president of Dartmouth Col- 
lege. He was held in high esteem by his flock and by the members of 
his profession, and his funeral obsequies were attended by a large con- 
course of sorrowing friends. 

The surface of New Boston is of an undulating character ; the ujilands 
are fertile, and valuable for agricultural purposes ; and the meadows are 
good for grazing. There are many beautiful farms. In the south part 
there is a considerable elevation, called Jo English's hill, one side of 
\vhich is nearly perpendicular, its height being about 572 feet. New 
Boston is watered by Piscataquog river and several other streams. 
Beard's and Jo English's, the latter lying partly in Amherst, are the two 
principal ponds. The town has one village ; two churches — Presbyte- 
rian and Baptist ; seventeen school districts ; and one post-office : also, 
several saw and grist-mills, and other mechanical establishments. Popu- 
lation, 1,477 ; valuation, ,§597,009. 

Neweury, in the western part of Merrimack county, has Sunapee 
lake on the north, and is thirty-five miles from Concord. Eflbrts for its 
settlement were first made, in 1762, by Zcphaniah Clark. It was first 
called Dantzic, and at the time of its incorporation, which was in 
November, 1778, Fisherfield, in honor of John Fisher, who aftenvards 
went to England. This name was altered in 1836 to the one it now 
bears. The Free-will Baptists are Ihe principal religious denomination. 
50* 



594 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

The surface is somewhat luouiitauious, and tlie soil very iiuiifferent, 
being hard and roeky. In tlie western part, the hills rise to a considera- 
ble height, and the land is broken, but adajited to grazing. Water is 
very abundant, but there is no stream of any magnitude. 1'odd pond, 
five hundred rods in length and sixty in width, atibrds a small branch to 
Warner river; and from Chalk pond, in the north part, issues a small 
stream, communicating with Sunapee lake, a considerable portion of 
which lies here. There are two villages, called Newbury and South 
Newbury, two Union churches, thirteen schools, and two post-offices, 
one at each of the villages. Population, 738 ; valuation, 6248,678. 

New Castle, Rockingham county, is an island at the mouth of the 
Piscataqua river, at the entrance to Portsmouth harbor, from which 
city it is about three miles distant, having an area of about 458 acres. 
In connection with Rye, and portions of Greenland and Newington, it 
originally formed Portsmouth, and began to be settled soon after the 
mainland. It W'as formerly known as Great Island; and, in ancient 
times, when Strawberry Bank was the mere skeleton of the present 
prosperous city of Portsmouth, most of the business of the immediate 
vicinity was transacted on it. A church was early organized in this 
settlement, and Rev. Samuel Moodey,i son of Rev. Joshua Moodey, 
preached here previous to the commencement of the eighteenth cen- 
tury. In 1693, in compliance with a petition from the inhabitants. 
New Castle was separately incorporated.^ In 1706, a new meeting- 
house was erected in the style of the period, but finished with more 
than ordinary elegance. It had a fine-toned bell, imported from Eng- 
land, was decorated with a beautiful altar-piece, and furnished with a 
communion-service of silver. A large silver cup was presented by 
Mrs. Jane Turrell, sister of Sir William Pepperrell, and a large folio 
bible, with illuminated letters, printed at the University of Oxford, was 
bequeathed by Madam Mary Prescott From 1778 to 1784, the period 
of the American Revolution, the people suffered under great anxiety 
and ]3ecuniaiy embarrassment, and tlie threat of a British man-of-war, 

' It is related of this clergyman, that, while addressing some of his hearers, most of 
whom were sailors, on the occasion of a shipwreck, he inquired : " Supjiosing, my 
brethren, any of you should be taken short in the bay, in a nortlicast stnmi — your 
liearts trembling with fear, and nothing but death beibre you — whither would your 
thoughts turn — what would you do?" He paused, and an untutored sailor, whose 
attention was arrested by the description of a storm at sea, supposing he waited for an 
answer, rcplie<l, " Why, in that case, d' ye see, I should immediately hoist the foresail, and 
6cud away for Squam." — Farmer and ifoore'x Collecl'wns, vol. ir., p. 297. 

' The charter, under the royal seal of AVilliam and !Mary, is still preserved in the 
archives of the town. It is written on parchment, in old English black-letter. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE — TOWX OF NEW CASTLE. .595 

to burn the place, compelled many of the inhabitants to abandon the 
island. 

Fort William and Mary formerly stood on this island ; and, prior to 
the Revolution, was the scene of one of the first ontbursts of colonial 
indignation at the measures of the British government. By an order in 
council, a prohibition was laid on the exportation of gunpowder, and 
other military stores, to America ; and a copy of the order having been 
brought by express to Portsmouth, December 13, 1774, when a British 
ship with troops was daily expected from Boston to take possession of 
the fort, the committee of the town conceived the design of attacking 
the fortress, and taking from it some of its contents. A company, com- 
posed of men from Portsmouth and neighboring towns, was formed with 
secrecy and despatch, and came to New Castle ; and, after taking the 
fort and confining the garrison, which consisted of only a captain and 
five men, they carried otf one hundred barrels of powder. Tlie day 
after, another company came here, and relieved the fort of fifteen of its 
lightest cannon and all the small arms, with oilier munitions t)f war, 
which were distributed in the several towns. General (then major) 
John Sullivan and Governor (then captain) John Langdon, took a 
prominent part in this afl'air.i The powder was conveyed to Bunker 
Hill, and did good service on the memorable 17th of June, 1775. 

Rev. Joseph Walton, a Congregational minister, much beloved and 
respected in Portsmouth, was a native of New Castle, as was also 
Hon. Theodore Atkinson, chief justice of the province for a number of 
years, and secretary and prcsidi'iit of the council. He died September 
22, 1789. Shadrach Walton was also a native and resident of this 
town. He was born in lG-")8, was son of George Walton, and was 
a man of wealth, as well as public distinctitui. He was ensign in 
1691, engaged in the Indian wars of 1707, was major of the New- 
Hampshire troops in the unfortunate attack on Port Royal in 1707, 
and their colonel in the reduction of that place in 1710. He was 
also in service the same year as colonel of the Rangers. He was 
appointed councillor by mandamus in 1716 ; was senior member and 
acting president of the province in 1733, judge of the court of common 
pleas from 1695 to 1698, judge of the superior court in 1698-9, and 
again judge of the court of common pleas from 1716 to 1737. He 
died October 3, 1741. Benjamin Randall, who follows, was his great- 
grandson. 

Benjamin Randall, the founder of Ihe "Free-will Baptist connection,"' 
was born in New Castle, February 26, 1749, the son of Captain 

' Belknap's Hist. New Ilamp., Farmer's eJ., vol. I., p. 3 j3. 



.596 IIIPTORY AND DESCRIPTIOX OF NEW EXGLAXD. 

Benjamin Randall, a .shipaia.ster. He acquired a decent mercantile 
education, was employed as a sail-maker, and was in the army for a 
short period. Becoming converted under the labors of Rev. George 
Whitefield, he united with the Congregational church in 1772 ; but, 
becoming Baptist in sentiment, was baptized by immersion in Madburv, 
and was ordained as an evangelist, April 5, 1780, at New Durham, to 
which place he had removed his residence, and where he lived till Tin- 
time of his death. He there organized the first Free-will Baptist 
church, but employed himself in itinerant labors to a great extent. 
Other chmvhes of the same faith were added, his labors being abun- 
dantly successful, untU, at the time of his death, he was the virtual 
head of churches embracing nearly 20,000 souls, gathered by the efforts 
which he originated. He died October 22, 1808. 

A handsome bridge, erected in 1821, connects this town with Ports- 
mouth. Fort Constitution, and a light-house, are located on the island 
in very advantageous positions. The httle soil that the town possesses 
is zealously cultivated, and made to yield a profitable return. Fishing, 
however, is the principal occupation of the people, and many of the 
men and youth of the place are frequently absent from the island 
in pursuit of this business. The town has one village, two chvu'ches 
(Congregational and Baptist), and two public schools. Population, 800 ; 
valuation, §53,620. 

New DraiiAM, the most northerly town of Strafford county, thirty-five 
miles from Concord, was granted to Ebenezer Smith and others in 
1749, and incorporated December 7, 1762. Colonel Thomas Tash, 
who was very energetic in developing the new settlement, resided here 
during the last twenty years of his life. He served in the French and 
Revolutionary wars, and was a man of considerable bravery. The 
Free-will Baptists are the largest denomination. Elder Benjamin 
Randall ^ began his work here in 1780, and organized a church. 

The surface of New Durham is not very even, and a part of it 
abounds in rocks, — so muih so as to unfit it for cultivation. The soil 
is adapted to grazing. The principal elevations are Mount Betty, 
Copple-Crown, and Straw's mountains, on the northeast side of the 
latter of which is a remarkable cave. Rattlesnake hill lies in the centn* 
of the town : its south side is almost one hundred feet high, and nearly 
perpendicular. A curious fountain, over which a part of Ela's river 
flows, exists here, the depth of which has not been ascertained. Water, 
extremely cold and pure, may be obtained from this fountain by sinking 
a small-mouthed vessel. The principal sti-eam is Ela's river, and the 

' See Xcw Castle. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF NEW HAMPTON. 597 

largest collection of water is Merrymceting pond, about ten miles in 
circumference, from whieh u perpetual stream runs into Menymeet- 
ino' bay, in Alton. Wood and lumber comprise the chief articles of 
trade. 

New Durham contains two villages, the principal of which is called 
sometimes Downing's Mills and sometimes Raiidallsville ; the other is 
known by the name of Eureka Powder-works, situated on the outlet of 
Merrymceting pond, a very fine water privilege. There are two Free- 
will Baptist meeting-houses in town ; fourteen school districts ; and one 
post-office : also, the gunpowder Avorks, five saw-mills, two grist-mills, 
four shingle mills ; and three stores. The Cochecho Raih'oad crosses 
New Durham. Population, 1,049 ; valuation, $332,750. 

New HAxMPTON, lying in the northwest corner of Bcllcnap county, thirty 
miles from Concord, was first settled in 1775, by Samuel Kelley. The 
origin of the grant of this town occurred in this wise. General Jona- 
than Moulton, of Hampton, was desirous of making a present to 
Governor Wentworth ; and accordingly, having fattened an ox so that 
it weighed some fourteen hundred pounds, he hoisted a flag on its horns 
and drove it to Portsmoitth, to the governor, who wished to remunerate 
the general for so rich a gift. The latter strenuously refused to receive any 
thing, but said he would like, merely as a token of the governor's friend- 
ship and esteem, to have a charter of a small gore of land he had dis- 
covered near the town of Moultonborough, of which he was one of the 
principal proprietors. The request was acceded to, and he named it 
New Hampton, in honor of his native town. It was incorporated 
November 27, 1777, and at that time embraced Centre Harbor. The 
first church organized here was a Baptist, formed in 1782, of members 
from Holderness, Bridgewater, and New Hampton, — Elder Jeremiah 
Ward being ordained pastor, who died in 1816. A Congregational 
church was organized in 1800, and Rev. Salmon Hebard ordained pas- 
tor ; but this church, after fluctuating for a number of years, has now 
ceased to exist. The Baptist female seminary, a very influential and 
extensively patronized institution, and the theological institute of the 
same sect, both which are now located in Fairfax, Vt., were originally 
in New Hampton. The Free-will Baptists, in 1854, came into posses- 
sion of the premises formerly occupied by these institutions, and have 
established a school of considerable influence. 

The surface of New Hampton is broken and uneven, though the soil 
is very valuable for agricultural purposes, producing grain and grass in 
abundance. A high hill, conical in form, lies in the south part, and it 
can be seen in almost any direction for many miles. A very pic- 



598 HISTORY AXD DE.^CRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

nircsqiTe view can be obtained from its summit. Tlie principal stream 
is Pemigewasset river, whicli washes the western boundary ; and over it 
is thrown the bridge which connects this town with Bristol. On the 
west side of Kelley's hill is a remarkable spring, from which flows a 
sti'eam supplying water power for several mills, never affected by rains 
or drought. There are five ponds, the most noted of which are Pemige- 
wasset and Measley ponds, tiie former being about two hundred rods in 
diameter. 

There are two villages — Smith's village, which is the larger and 
more important, and Centre village, which, as its name denotes, lies in 
the centre of the town, two miles north of the former. The church 
edifices are three in number, two of which are occupied by the Free- 
will Baptists, and one by the Baptists. The town is divided into fifteen 
school districts, and has one post-office. The New Hampton Literary 
and Biblical Institution is situated in Smith's village, and is the only 
Biblical seminary of the Free-will Baptist denomination in New Eng- 
land. It was founded in 1853, and consists of a literary and theological 
department, and has an average attendance of 175 students. The 
Mount Ascension Academy is situated at Centre village, and depends 
for its support upon its patronage, and the liberality of the citizens in 
the immediate vicinity. There are, beside these, four incorporated liter- 
ary societies, namely, the Literary Adelphi, having a library of one 
thousand volumes; Social Fraternity, having also a library with a simi- 
lar number of volumes ; the Germanaj Dilectse Scientia, and the Theo- 
logical Research. There are four lumber mills, and one sash and blind 
factory. Population, 1,612 ; valuation, 6415,025. 

Newixgtox, in the eastern part of Rockingham county, having the 
Piscataqna river for its northeastern boundary, was originally a part of 
Portsmouth and Dover, and its settlement was commenced at an early 
date. That part which was from Dover was called " Bloody Point." 
Its terrible name was given to it because, in 1631, Captain Neal and 
Captain Wiggin, rival agents, came near shedding blood there, about 
the possession of the land; "but," says the worthy Mr. Hubbard, "both 
the fitigants had so much wit in their anger as to waive the battle, each 
accounting himself to have done very manfully in what was threat- 
ened; so as in respect merely of what might have fallen out, the 
place to this day retains the formidable name of Bloody Point:'' In 
1643, the Bloody Point part was in controversy between Portsmouth and 
Dover; but it was assigned to Dover. The male inhabitants then were 
Johnson, Canney, Ffursen, Fray, Jones, Trickey, Goddard, Langstaffe, 
Faver, Trimings, and Lewis. Langstaffe died in 1705, aged one hun- 



NEW HAMPSHIRE — TOWN OF NEW IPSWICH. 599 

(Ired, "a hale, strong, liearty man."' Newington was incorporated as a 
parish, July 16, 1713, and as a town in July, i7()0. Rev. Joseph Adams, 
uncle of President John Adams, was the first minister. 

The Indians made several incursions into this town, the principal of 
which was in May, 1690, when a party, under a sagamore called Hope- 
hood, assaulted the settlement at Fox point, burned several houses, 
killed about fourteen people, and carried away six as prisoners. They 
were pursued by Captains Floyd and Greenleaf, with some of the set- 
tlers, who came up with the enemy, and recovered several of the cap- 
tives and some of the spoil after a severe contest, in which the Indian 
sagamore was wounded. 

This is not a very good agricultural town, the soil being generally 
sandy and unproductive. On the margin of the river there is some good 
land, which yields average crops of grain and grass. Granite is quar- 
ried to some extent. Newington was connected with Durham by a 
bridge crossing the Piscataqua river at Fox's point to Goat island, and 
thence to the shore- — which was erected in 1793. This bridge was 2,600 
feet long and forty wide, and cost §65,401 ; but a )>ortion having been 
carried away a few years since, it has been abandoned. There are two 
churches -(Methodist and Congregational), one school district and one 
school, and a jiost-office. Population, 472; valuation, §>191,21.5. 

New Ipswich, the southwest corner town of Hillsborough county, 
fifty miles from Concord, has an area of about five and a qitarter miles 
from north to south, and six and a quarter from east to west. It was 
granted by the legislature of Massachusetts, January 15, 17;! i], to 
John Wainwright and other residents of Ipswich, Mass., who soon com- 
menced preparations for a settlement by building roads, bridges, and a 
saw-mill. This was probably in 1737. In 1738, Abijah Foster, the 
first permanent settler, brought his family here from old Ipswich, and 
was soon after joined by Jonas Woolson, Ebenezer and Joseph Bullard, 
and a few others. A small meeting-house was built, but not occupied. 
In 1740, the line between New Hampshire and Massachusetts was run, 
and nearly all of this township was found to be in New Hampshire. 
The doubt thus thrown over the title to the lands, with the French and 
Indian war, prevented any increase of the settlement till 1749, when, 
a new grant having been obtained from the Masonian proprietors to 
Reuben Kidder and others, including the settlers under the Massachu- 
setts grant (the land being now divided mostly among actual settlers, 
on certain conditions), a rapid increase soon took place. A large part 
of the settlers were from Chelmsford, and Concord, Mass. — It was 



600 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

voted, in 1752, to have constant preaching ; and a meeting-house was 
erected in 1754. In 1760, a Congregational church was formed, and Rev. 
Stephen Farrar ordained pastor, at which post he continued till his 
death, June 23, 1809. The town was incorporated September 9, 1762. 

Among the distinguished natives of this town are found the names 
of Jesse Appleton, D. D., president of Bowdoin College ; Hon. Nathan 
Appleton, and the late Samuel Appleton, of Boston ; the late Timothy 
Farrar, for forty years judge of the New Hampshire courts, who lived 
to the age of 101 years, and for some time was the oldest living gradu- 
ate of Harvard College ; besides several others, who have acquired 
liigh reputation in mercantile life. Hon. Ebenezer Chainpney, judge 
of probate, and his son Benjamin, an eminent lawyer, were resident 
here. The late Jonas Chlckering, of Boston, the pioneer of the piano- 
forte manufacture in this country, spent his boyhood here. 

The first cotton factory in New Hampshire was put m operation 
December 15, 1804, by Charles Robbins, Charles Ban-ett, and Benjamin 
Champney. It contained five hundred spindles. The product of the 
first day was four and a half pounds of yarn, which sold for $3.42. 
The second factoiy, which was also the second in the State, was 
started here in 1808, by Samuel Batchelder, Seth Nason, and Jesse 
Holton. The Souhegan is the river of the town, on which are the 
Columbian Mills, the Mountain Mill, and Brown's Mills. There 
arc six villages — Centre, High Bridge, Bank, Smith's, Gibson's, and 
Wilder's, — the principal one of which, the Centre, has increased very 
considerably, within the last thirteen years, in population, business, and 
buildings. At this village is situated the New Ipswich Appleton Acad- 
emy, for wliicii there has been erected a new building at a cost of 
§12,000, being assisted by a donation from Hon. Samuel Appleton. 
There are also thirteen schools, four meeting-houses — two Congrega- 
tional, one Baptist, and one Methodist ; a town-house, a bank, with a 
capital of -^100,000, and one post-othce : also, one batting factory, three 
chair factories, one bedstead factory, one cigar-box factory, four saw- 
mills, and one grist-mill. Population, 1,877 ; valuation, $743,095. 

New London, Merrimack county, lies on the east of Sunapee lake, 
which separates it from Sunapee, and is thirty-three miles from Concord. 
The first persons who arrived were Nathaniel Merrill and James Lamb, 
who were followed by Eliphalet Lyon and Ebenezer Hunting. New 
London was incorporated June 25, 1779. Its first name was Dantzic. 
Dr. Belknap says it was Heidelburg. A part of Wendell (now Sunapee) 
was annexed to tliis town, June 19, 1817. The Baptists were the first to 
establish a ehurcli, wliicli was formed October 23, 1788, Rev. Job Sea- 



NEW IIAMPSIIIKE TOWN OF NEWMARKET. 601 

in;ms having lieeii urilaini'd pastcir, January 21, 1789. Mr. Scamaiis 
wa.s still pastor of the elunxh in 1S.")(), which consisted of 226 members, 
— the largest Baptist church, with one exception (Newport), in New 
Hampshire. Ex-governor Anthony t'olby is a resident of this town. 
The surface is undulating, and in some places broken. There are sev- 
eral large swells. The soil is dee]), and on the average good, though 
some of it is rocky. Lake Sunajiee, which is the main source of Sugar 
river, furnishes abundance of water. There are four large ponds — 
Little Sunapee, one and a half miles in length and three quarters of a 
mile in width; Harvev's and .Messer's, each alxnit a mile in length and 
three qitarters in width, which arc separated by a bog, many parts of 
which rise and fall with the water; and Pleasant pond, which is nearly 
two miles long and one wide. Tlie town has three villages, the names 
of which are Four Corners, Si-ythe Factory, and IIemphill'.s Mills; two 
church edifices — Bajitist and Union ; seven school districts, one acad- 
emy, established by the Baptist denomination ; and one post-office : 
also, one large scythe factory and five stores, l-'opulation, 94-5 ; valua- 
tion, $370,846. 

Newmarket, Rockingham county, lies on the west of Squamscot river 
and Great Bay, and was originally a part of Exeter, from which it was 
detached and incorporated December 15, 1727. Mrs. Fanny Shute, 
who died in this town in September, 1819, was regarded ^vith great 
respect, as mirch for her excellent qualities of mind and heart, as for the 
adventures she met with in her youth. When thirteen months old, 
she was captured by a party of Indians, carried to Canada, and given 
to the French. She was educated in a nunnery; and, after remaining in 
captivity thirteen years, was redeemed and restored to her friends. 
South Newmarket was formerly a part of Newmarket, from which it 
was set off in 1849. The Orthordox Congregational church was organ- 
ized March 27, 1828, over which Rev. David Sanford was ordained 
May 22, 1828, he having preached the previous year, and been mainly 
instrumental in forming the church. Through his efforts a house of 
worship was erected ; thus involving him, by his disinterested en- 
deavors, in great pecuniary liabilities. He was dismissed June 22,1830. 
Prior to the formation of this church, the Methodists had been the pre- 
dominant denomination. Winthrop Hilton, a descendant of the Ed- 
ward Hilton who came from London to New Ham|)shire in 1623 and 
settled at Dover, was a native of this town. He was an active and 
useful officer of the militia. His death was occasioned by the fall of a 
tree in Northwood, January 11, 177"). A tract of land was annexed to 
this town from South Newmarket, December 17, 1852. 

VOL. I. 5L 



602 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

The surface of Newmarket is somewhat uneven, and, in the south- 
west portion, generally hilly. Lamprey river touches the northwest and 
northeast corners of the town, emptying into Great bay, whilst the 
Squamscott, upon the southeast, divides Newmarket from Stratham, and 
the Piscassick runs north into the Lamprey. The Boston and Maine 
Raih-oad runs through the eastern part, connecting with the Portsmouth 
and Concord Raihoad at the junction in South Newmarket. The town 
has one village — Newmarket or Lamprey River ; three church edifices 
— Coiigregationalist, JMethodist, and Free-will Baptist ; five school dis- 
tricts with nine schools, and one post-office : three cotton mills, owned 
by the Newmarket Manufacturing Company, manufacturing 4,500,000 
yards of cloth annually ; two establishments for the manufacture of 
various kinds of machinery ; and the Newmarket Bank, with a capital of 
$60,000. Population, 1,937 ; valuation, $812,897. 

Newport is the shire town of Sullivan connry, and adjoin? Claremont 
on the west, being distant from Concord forty miles. It was granted 
by charter, October 6, 1761, and the first settlement was made by Jesse 
Wilcox, Ebenczer Merritt, Jesse Kelsey, and Samuel Hurd, in the fall 
of 1763. Those who first settled here came principally from North 
Killingwoith, Conn. It is stated with regard to Newport, — a circum- 
stance worthy of record — that, upon the first Sabbatli after the arrival 
of the early settlers, they convened for public worship ; and neither they 
nor their descendants have permitted a Sabbath since to pass without a 
similar observance. The first spot where they assembled was under 
a tree ; afterwards they worshipped in a private log-honse, where they 
continued their services for seven years. They had no preacher at this 
early day, being satisfied with listening, in the absence of a more 
enlightened expositor of the word, to one of their number, who read 
passages from Scripture and from published sermons. A meeting- 
house was directed to be built in Novenil)er, 1772. The Congrega- 
tional church is the oldest, having been organized in 1779, over whicli 
Rev. John Remeli was ordained pastor. This church was considerably 
in advance of other churches in its eflbrts to check the evils of intem- 
perance, and, in 1831, made total abstuience from the use of ardent 
spirits a condition of membership. 

The surface is composed of hills and valleys, and thi' soil is generally 
productive ; being divided into thrt'c classes, alluvial, dry and gravelly, 
and moist. The eminences deserving of notice are Bald, Coit, East, 
and Blueberry mountains. The town is watered by Sugar river, the 
three brandies of which unite near the principal village, from whence it 
passes througti Claremont into the Connecticut. This river furnishes 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF NEWTON. G03 

excellent water power for mills and machinery. Nettleton's and 
Chapin's ponds, tiie former in the easterly and tlie latter iu the north- 
west part, are of small extent. 

Newport is a place of considerable note, as ninch from the fact of 
its being the shire of the connty as from its central situation, which 
renders it quite a business locality. The principal village, called 
Newport, is almost walled in by hills, above which may be seen eleva- 
tions and mountains towering in the distance. The scenery in summer 
is romantic and beautiful, while in winter it is wild and sublime. A 
broad street, about a mile in length, runs through the village, on which 
are erected some tasty residences, having commodious yards and well- 
tended gardens. The county buildings are located with a regard to 
convenience, and are built of substantial materials. The climate is 
good, and opportunities are afforded for hunting and fishing rarely met 
with ; which circumstances render tlie town a place of considerable resort 
for those in search of recreation. There is another village, called 
NorthviUe, which is a place of moderate business. Newport contains 
four churches — Baptist, Methodist, Universalist, and Congregational; 
seventeen school districts, having a- like number of schools ; the Sugar 
River bank ; two newspapers — the Sullivan Republican, and the Argus 
and Spectator; and one post-office: also, three woollen mills, two 
tanneries, and one scythe factory. Population, 2,020; valuation, 
$741,224. 

Newton, in the southeast part of Rockingham county, forty miles 
from Concord, was first settled in 1720, by Joseph Bartlett, soon after 
whose arrival came several others. This man, twelve years previous to 
his settling here, was taken prisoner by the Indians in Haverhill, and 
conveyed to Canada, where he remained four years. Newton was 
incorporated in 1749, when it was called Newtown, which was changed 
July 10, 1846. Rev. Jonathan Eames was settled over the Congrega- 
tional church in this town, January 17, 17-59, and was dismissed in 1791, 
after a ministry of thirty-two years. The Congregational church lias 
long been extinct. The oldest Baptist society in New Hampshire is 
in existence here, having been formed in 1755, when Rev. Walter 
Powers was settled as the first pastor. The centennial anniversary of 
the formation of this church was celebrated with some very interesting 
ceremonies. A farm of twcntv acres was annexed to Newton from 
East Kingston, July 2, 1845. Th(^ soil is good for the production of 
grain or grass. Part of a pond, known by the name of Country pond, 
lies here. The prosperity of the town has been much advanced by 
the Boston and Maine Railroad, which passes through its westerly part. 



604 niPTOKY AND DESCRII'TIOX OF NEW ENGLAND. 

At the depot, a thriviiii^ little village has sprung up. The manufacture, 
of shoes is carried on 10 a considerable extent, — in fact, most of the 
people are engaged in this business. Besides the village already men- 
tioned, there are two others, known by the names of the Centre and 
Carter's. There are two churches — Baptist and Christian; six school 
districts, and one post-oliice. Population, d^') : valuation, $277,869. 

NuRTiiFiELii. in the northeast ]iart of ]M(M-rimack county, seventeen 
miles from Concord, contains 19.000 acres, and was settled, in 1760. by 
Benjamin Blanchard and others. It was incorporated in the year 1780. 
Nothing seems to have been done in the way of advancement for a 
number of vears. The first church organized was tiiat of the Meth- 
odist denomination, in 1806, when the people erected a iriceting-house, 
open to all denominations. The Congregational church was formed in 
1S22, and, in 1841, was united with that at Sanbornton Bridge. Part 
of Franklin was annexed to tiiis town, July 3, 1830. Northfield has an 
uneven surface, with some hills, — the soil on which is the most pro- 
ductive in the town : the other portions are but moderately good. 
Bean hill, the largest eminence, separates Northfield from Canterbury. 
Chestnut pond, the waters of which have an outlet into the ^A*innepe- 
saukee, is situated in the east part; and Sondogardy pond in the south 
part, draining into the Merrimack. Near Webster's falls, in the northwest 
part, the Winnepesaukee falls into the Pemigewassct, both of which 
form the Merrimack. The people are mostly engaged in farming. 
Northfield has one village, called Northfield Factory ; and one meeting- 
house — Methodist. The Northfield Conference Seminary and Female 
College is a large and flourishing institution, under the control of the 
Methodist denomination. The building and grounds are situated on 
an eminence, a short distance from Winnepesaukee river and San- 
bornton Bridge. There is one woollen manufacturing company and 
one wrapping-paper mill : also, thirteen school districts. The Boston, 
Concord, and JMontreal Railroad has a station in Northfield. Popu- 
lation, 1,332 : valuation, 6482,098. 

NiiRTH Hampton, Rockingham county, in the extreme eastern ])art 
of the state, is a seajwrt town, and is forty-seven miles from Concord. 
It was formerly a parish of Hampton, called North Hill (which name it 
retains to some extent even at the present day), and was incorporated 
November 26,1742. Settlements were early commenced here, but by 
whom, or at what ])articular time, we have been unable to aseertam. 
A dread of the Indians made it necessary for the inhabitants to dwell 
in garrisons. The first meeting-house was erected about the year 1734, 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF NORTHUMBERLAND. GOr) 

and near it stood a garrison house, erected for protection against the 
Indians, wiio, on the loth of June, 1677, iiilled four persons named 
Edward C'olc-ord, Jr., Al)ruiiaui Perkins, Jr., Benjamin Milliard, and 
Caleb Tinvle. In this house, tradition says, Simon Dearijorn (I'ather 
of Captain John and Major-Cieneral Henry Dearborn) was born July 
31, 170(3. The Congregational church, originally the fourth church of 
Hampton, was organized November 17, 1738. Rev. Nathaniel Gookin, 
son of the late Rev. Nathaniel Gookin of Hampton, v^^as the first 
minister, having been ordained October 31, 1739. Rev. Jonathan 
French, D. D., has served this church for a period of fifty-six years. He 
was ordained November IH, 1801, and continues in the office of senior 
pastor at the present time. 

The soil is generally of a productive character, and most of the 
people are engaged in agricultural pursuits. Many of them are trades- 
men as well as farmers ; and those who reside in the vicinity of the 
ocean employ a portion of their time in fishing. Between North hill 
and one a short distance from it, at the south, a number of springs 
unite and form a brook, which, taking a west and northwest direction, 
and receiving supplies from other sources, forms the Winnicut river. 
This river, after running through Stratham and Greenland, empties into 
Great bay, which, through branches of the Piscataqua, mingles with 
the ocean. A very useful mill stream originates from two small ones 
running nearly parallel from the north part of the town, and from 
numerous springs collected in a circle at the foot of Breakfast hiJl. 
Little river mingles with the ocean between Little Boar's head in 
North Hampton and Great Boar's head in Hampton, and near the 
celebrated Rye beach. The town contains two churches — Congrega- 
tionalist and Baptist ; three school districts, and one post-office : also, 
three saw-mills and one grist-mill. Population, 822 : valuation, 
$331,893. 

Northumberland, in the southwestern part of Coos county, adjoining 
Lancaster, is one hundred and thirty miles from Concord. It was in- 
corporated November 17, 1779 ; and the first settlers, who arrived in 
.June, 1767, were Thomas Burnside and Daniel Spaulding, with their 
families. During the Revolutionary war a small fort stood here, and 
was placed under the command of Captain Jeremiah Eames, a man of 
great industry and ready wit. The soil along the Connecticut, and, in 
fact, a good portion of that in town, is of a productive quality. Lying 
near the centre is Cape Horn, an abrupt mountain of one thousand 
feet. A neck of plain land separates its base from the Connecticut, and 
the Upper Ammonoosuc passes its base on the east, as it falls into the 
51* 



606 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

Connecticut. There is a handsome bridge between Northnmberlaiid 
and Guildhall, at the falls of the Connecticut, below the entrance to the 
Ammonoosuc. Wtock-raising is pursued to a liinilid extent, and farm- 
ing engages a great deal of attention. There arc two \illages — North- 
umberland and Grovetown, with a post-office at each ; and five school 
districts : also, two saw-mills, two blacksmith's shops, and three stores. 
The Grand Tmnk Railway passes through this town. Population, 
429 ; valuation, $217,437. 

NoiiTiiwooD, situated in the north corner of Rockingham county, 
eighteen miles from Concord, originally composed a part of Nottingham, 
and received its name from straggling parties who visited this place, 
and who designated it " north woods," to distinguish it from other 
wooded localities. Northwood was settled in 1763, — John Davis, In- 
crease and James Batchelder, Moses Godfrey, Solomon Bickford, and 
Samuel and Moses Johnson, being among the first settlers. The place, 
it is presumed, from the number of antiquities found here, was frequently 
visited by roving bands of Indians ; but the only permanent settlement, 
of which there is knowledge, was near the north part of North River 
pond, near the line which now divides Nottingham from Northwood, 
and within the limits of the latter. Here liveil a trilie of Indians, at 
the head of which was a chief by the name of Swansen. There were 
quite a number of the inhabitants of Northwood engaged in the Revo- 
lutionary war, and many served in the last war against Canada. 
Colonel Samuel Johnson and Sergeant Bickford, son of Solomon, took 
an active part in the contest. The town was incorporated February 
(i, 1773. 

A Congregational meeting-house was erected in 1781, and the first 
church organized November 29, 1798, consisting of eight members, four 
males and four females. The first minister was Rev. Josiah Prentice, 
who was ordained May 29, 1799, and contimicd in the pastoral office 
until May 10, 1842, when, in consequence of oUl age, he requested, and 
obtained dismission. The house erected in 1781 was occupied as a 
town-hall from 1840 until 1847, when it was destroyed by fire. Another 
Congregational meeting-house was erected in 1840, at an expense of 
al)out $2,r)00. 

The surface is hillv, and there an- no plains of even moderate extent 
to relieve tiie eye from the continued monotony of the hills. Were 
it not for its sihcr lakes, Northwood would be viewed by travellers with 
feelings siiullar perhaps to what would be experienced by one in an 
uninhabited country, and at a great distance from home. There are 
many large swells of land, on which are the best farms ; but only one 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF NOTTINGHAM. (l07 

can claim the name of mountain, which is called Saddlcbadc, and has 
an elevation of 1,032 feet. The soil of Nortlivvood holds our Imi few- 
inducements to its inhabitants, being generally very rocky, and hard to 
cultivate. There are ten ponds — Bow, Suncoolv, Jenness, 8wain, 
Long, Pleasant, Littleton, North River, Lucas, and Durgain's; four of 
which — Bow, Jenness, Pleasant, and North River — are but partly 
within Northwood. The north branch of Lamprey river has its rise 
near Saddlel)aek iiiouiiraiii. The town contains three meeting-houses — 
Congregational, Ba|)ti>t. and P^-ec-will Baptist; eight school districts: 
and two post-ollices — East Northwood and West Northwood. Popu- 
lation, 1,:30S; valuation, e4:i9,()80. 

NoTTiNGHAJi, in the northeastern corner of Rockingham county, 
twenty-five miles from Concord, containing 25,800 acres, was chartered 
May 10, 1722, antl, five years afterwards, was settled by Jost'ph Cilley 
and others. In 17o2, during the last Indian war, Nottingham was 
visited by a ])arty of Indians, and a Mr. Beard, Mrs. Folsom, and Mrs. 
Simpson (wife of Andrew Siinpson), who had left their station at the 
garrison to perform some business at their houses, were surprised and 
put to death. The religions denomination which first introduced their 
ministrations here was the Congregational, who established a society in 
1742, Rev. Stephen Emery Ijeing the first minister. He was dismissed 
after seven years' service. In 1758, Rev. Benjamin Butler was settled, 
and remained till August 1, 1770, since which time the elmreli has i)een 
without a settled minister. Mr. Butler was afterwards a civil iriagis- 
trate in this town, and remained such till his death, Decemijer 26, 1804. 
(iinieral .Joseph Cilley, one of the pioneers of Nottingham, was a Revo- 
lutionary hero of some note and distinction, having ct)mmanded the 
first New Hampshire regiment. He was also a representative, senator, 
and counsellor. He died August, 1799, aged sixty-five. Hon. Thomas 
Bartlett, also a resident, was one of the committee of safety during the 
Revolutionary period, lieutenant-colonel under Stark at the capture of 
Burgoyne, and colonel of a regiment at West Point in 1780, when Ar- 
nold's treacherous conduct was discovered. He held several civil offices of 
distinction, and tlied June 30, 1807, aged fifty-nine. General Henry But- 
ler, an officer in the Revolution, major-general of militia, justice of peace, 
and senator of the legislature, died here July 20, 1813, aged sixty-two. 

Nottingham has a rough and broken surface, with a range of hills 
lying on the western boundary, known as the Upper, Middle, and Lower 
mountains ; the latter separated into two nearly equal divisions by a 
dyke of greenstone trap. This dyke assumes the form of columns, and, 
on a bare ledge, inclined about forty degi'ces, there arc a series of nat- 



()08 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

unil steps, fifteen or sixteen in number, about nine inches in height, 
and known as " The Stairs." iSaddleback mountain, having an elevation 
of 1,032 feet, lies partly here. The soil is well suited to pasturage, and 
is cultivated to a considerable extent. There is an inexhaustible supply 
of white granular quartz ; also various other mineral substances, among 
which is bog iron ore. This, however, is not at present worked. The 
principal point is called " The Square," which has a pleasant situation 
on an eminence about 450 feet above the level of the sea. North river 
passes through the town, and Little river and several lesser streams 
originate here ; besides which there are a few ponds, all, however, of 
small size. The Newmarket Manufacturing Company have a reservoir 
in Nottingham, covering upwards of one thousand acres, and distant 
from the mills about twelve miles. There are two church edifices — 
Congregational and Baptist; two seminaries — the Union and the 
Pawtuckaway Institutes ; twelve school districts, and two post-oliices 
— Nottingham and Nottingham Turnpike: also, six saw-mills, two 
grist-mills, and six shingle and clapboard mills. Population, 1,2()8 ; 
valuation, §375,997. 

Oran(;e, in the southeastern division of Grafton county, forty miles 
from Concord, was formerly called Cardigan, having received that name 
at the time of its being granted, February 6, 1769. Isaac Fellows and 
others were the proprietors. It was first settled, in 1773-4, by Silas 
Harris, Benjamin Shaw, David Eames, Elislia Bayne, and Joseph 
Kenney. In 1820, nearly one third of its territory was set off to Alex- 
andria. A Congregational church was formed in May, 1828 ; but there 
has never been a settled minister. There is also a small society of 
Free-will Baptists. Orange is uneven in surface, though the soil in 
several parts is ]iro(luctive. The only eminence of note is Cardigan 
mountain, which lies in the east part. In this town are found many 
mineral substances, such as lead and iron ore. A species of \ra\nt 
called spruce yellow, chalk intermixed with magnesia, yellow ochre of a 
quality su])(>rior to that imported, and clay (the latter in considerable 
abundance), are also found here. The Northern Railroad passes through 
the southwestern corner. The trade of Orange consists of lumber, 
charcoal, and pottery, in all of which much business is done. There are 
seven school districts, and one Union meeting4iouse : also, four clap- 
board mills, four sliingle-mills, and one saw-mill. Population, 451 ; 
valuation, §110,554. 

Orford, in the western jvart of (irafton county, is opposite to Fairlee, 
Vt., and is sixty-twt) miles from Concord. It was granted to .Tonathan 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF ORPORD. 609 

Movilton and others, September 25, 1761 ; and Daniel Cross and wife 
were the first inhabitants of the place, having arrived in June, 17()0, 
from Lebanon, Conn. John Mann and wife, both of Hebron, Conn., 
came in on the :24th of October, 1765, the former being twenty-one 
years of age, and the latter sixteen. They had but one horse, on which 
they both rode, with their supply of clothing, to Charlestown, N. 11., a 
distance of 150 miles. Here a bushel of oats was purchased, and 
some bread and cheese; and, thus equipped, they started on their jour- 
ney for Orford, Mann being on foot, and his wife and the luggage on 
horseback. The road was not of the best descri|)tion, being obstructed 
with fallen trees, whenever they came to whic-h, wife, oats, bread, and 
cheese were compelled to dismount. This was repeated till the old 
horse grew tired of the ceremony ; and, without w^aiting orders, attempted 
a clean leap, the sudden result of which was to scatter wife, oats, 
bread, and cheese in various directions, Dobbin himself being in the 
catalogue of objects spilled. They rallied, however, conquei-ed all diffi- 
culties, and completed their journey. Jonathan and Edward 8awyer, 
General Israel Morey, and a Mr. Caswell, came in the same autunni. 
John Mann, Jr., was born May 21, 1766, and was the first white child 
claiming nativity in Orford. A church was organized, on the Presby- 
terian platform, by Rev. Peter Powers, August 27, 1770. Mr. Obadiah 
Noble was ordained as pastor, November 5, 1771, receiving ,£60 settle- 
ment and £40 salary for the first year, the former to be paid in materials 
for building and labor, and the latter in wheat at 4s. per bushel, rye at 
'Ss., corn at 2s., and oats at l,v. 'Sd. Twenty coi'ds of good firewood 
were also to be furnished him annually. Mr. Noble was dismissed in 
December, 1777, for want of means to support him. Rev. Julni Sawyer, 
a son of one of the early settlers, was the next minister, having been 
ordained pastor, October 3, 1787. Prior to his settlement, on the 6tli of 
June, 1786, the church became Congregational. Mr. Sawyer's salary 
was entirely paid in produce. He was dismissed December 17, 1795, 
having become obnoxious to some of the members from a too rigorous 
observance of discipline. Among other ministers who have followed 
was Rev. Sylvester Dana, who served the church with much success for 
a period of twenty years, having been settled May 20. 1801. The town 
lies on Connecticut river, and a bridge connects it with Fairlee. It has 
many advantages, both as regards situation and soil. There are a 
number of farms on the banks of the Connecticut, which are laid out 
with much taste, and are exceedingly fertile. Mounts Cuba and Sun- 
day, lying near the centre of the town, are two considerable elevations, 
on the west side of the former of which are beds of limestone, excellent 
for building ])urposes. Several minerals have been found, such as sul- 



filO HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW EN(iI.AND. 

phuret of copper, magnetic iron ore, und lead ore. Soap-rock, or cotton- 
stone, is found in great abundance. There are four or five ponds of 
considerable size, those particidarly worthy of note being Baker's Upper 
pond and Indian pond, the former of which empties into Baker's river 
in Wentworth,! and the latter into the Connecticut. 

Orford contains two villages, — Orford and Orfordvillo, — the former 
of which has a beautiful site, being situated on an extensive plain, hav- 
ing on the west magnificent tracts of interval. " The hills on both sides 
of the river, near the centre of the expansion, approach each other so as 
to form a kind of neck, and, with a similar apj)roximation at the two 
ends, give the whole the appearance of a double amphitheatre, or of the 
numerical figure 8. The greatest breadth of each division is about a 
mile and a half, and the length of each between two and three miles." 
The dwellings are substantially built, with a strict view as well to com- 
fort as to elegance. Orfordville is situated about two miles from 
Orford, and has a pleasant location and considerable business. 

The churches, of which there are three, are handsome structures : 
two of them belong to the Congi-egationalists, and the other to the Uni- 
versalists. A large three story brick edifice has been erected for the use 
of the academy. The educational interests of the youth are properly 
cared for, there being sixteen schools. Five stores supply the necessary 
wants of the people. A large tannery, a chair factory, ten saw-mills, a 
starch factory, a grist-mill, a sash, blind, and door factory, and two boot 
and shoe manufactories, engage the attention of many of those who are 
not employed in agricultural pursuits. Post-offices have been estab- 
lished at each of the villages. The Connecticut and Passumpsic- 
Rivers Railroad passes through Orford. Population, 1,406 ; valuation, 
$GG4,050. 

OssiPEE, in the eastern part of Carroll county, is the shire town, and 
is distant from Concord sixty miles. The town was incorporated Feb- 
ruary 22, 1785. We have no particulars as to its early history. That 
it was much fre([uented by the Indians common to this section of 
country is e\idcnt from the fact, that from a mound of earth, forty-five 
or fifty feet in (lianieter, near the west sijore of Ossipee lake, have been 
exhumed several entire skeletons, as well as tomahawks and other 
Indian imiileiiieiits. The first church organized was the Baptist, 
between 179() and 1800, over which Rev. Wentworth Lord was pastor 
about twenty yeais. The first meeting-house was built about the year 
1800, and was occupied by this denomination. A Congi-egational 

' See artk-li' on Wentworth. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE — TOWN OF PEUIAM. 611 

church was organized September 26, 1806, and a nieeting-housc buih, 
in 1827. Rev. Samuel Arnold was the first pastor, having been or- 
dained Se])tember 23, 1829, and dismissed in 1831, agreeably to his 
own request. Four ministers have been inductctl into the pastorate 
since that time. 

The surface is rough and uneven, and in some parts roelcy and 
mountainous to a considerable extent ; but it all'ords excellent |)as- 
turagc. The soil is very strong, and suited to the raising of wiieat 
and potatoes. Ossipee mountain, a rough and broken range, some six 
or eigiit miles in length, lies in tlie northwest, extending into the ad- 
joining towns. It is so Jiigii tliat, wiien easterly storms prevail, the 
winds break over its sununits, l're(|uently causing mucli injury to the 
farms at its base. Ossipee lajce, a fuie body of water of an oval form, 
and covering about seven thousand acres, lies partly in this town and 
partly in Effingham. From this lake flows Ossipee river, forming the 
bays east of the lake, from whence it passes tln-ough Eflingham into 
the Saco, in Maine. Pine river intersects the east part of the town, 
and Bearcamp river falls into the lake on the northwest. The prin- 
cipal pond is about four hundred rods long, and lies partly in Tufton- 
bi)rough. The trade of the town is chiefly in produce, lumber, and 
cattle. Ossipee contains five villages — Ossipee Corner, Centre Ossipee, 
West Ossipee, Water Village, and Leighton's Corner, each of wiiich 
has a post-office ; six churcii edifices — one Congregational, four Free- 
will Baptist, and one Union ; and twenty-three school districts : 
also, twelve saw-miUs, five grist-mills, twelve clapboard and shingle 
mills, one bedstead factory, one door factory, one sash and blind 
factory, one paper-mill, four tanneries ; and the Pine-river Bank, with 
a capital of $oO,000. Population, 2,123; valuation, 8399,886. 

Pelham, in the southeastern corner of Hillsborough county, adjoins 
Lawrence and Dracut, Mass., and is thirty-seven miles from Concord. 
The territory comprised in this town was included in the purchase of 
Wheelwright and in the patent of Mason. Altiumgh only distant 
about thirty miles from the capital of New England, no settlements 
were commenced here till 1722, a century after the landing at Plymouth. 
.Joim Butler, William Richardson, and others were among the first set- 
tlers. Pelham was incor])orated July 5, 1746, about five years after the 
establishment of the state line, by which a portion of the eastern terri- 
tory of Dracut was taken from that town ; the western part was under 
the jurisdiction of Dunstable (Nashua). Eighty-seven of the inhabi- 
tants of Pelham served in the war of the Revolution. A meeting-house 
was erected in 1747, and, November 13, 1751. a Congregational church 



612 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

was organized, Rev. James Hobbs (Arminian in sentiment) being or- 
dained pastor at the same time. Mr. Hobbs died June 20, 1765. Rev. 
Amos Moody was ordained November 20, 17Go, and dismissed October 
20, 1792, in consequence of opposition manifested by some of his 
ciiarge, who had become so much dissatisfied as to form a new church, 
which subsequently, however, united with the original one. Rev. J. H. 
Church was ordained pastor, October 31, 1798, when the denominational 
sentiments of the church became more prominent than they had been 
under the previous pastors. Dr. Church was dismissed by mutual con- 
sent, September 30, 1835, after a successful pastorate of nearly thirty- 
seven years. Four divines have since occupied the pulpit at ditVerent 
periods. 

The land comprises valuable meadow, productive pine, and good 
grazing. The soil is strong. Fruit is raised in considerable quantities, 
for which, and for the overplus productions of aU kinds, a ready sale is 
found in Lowell, Lawrence, Nashua, and Haverhill. Pelham is rich 
in granite of a sujjerior quality, w^hich is carried to the above-men- 
tioned places for building purposes. There are two business localities 
in Pelham, called the Centre and Butler's mills ; two church edifices — 
Congregational and Free-will Baptist; six common schools, one high- 
school, and one post-office : also, one woollen mill, three grist-mills, four 
saw-mills, one pruning-shear factory, and two stores. Population, 1,071 ; 
valuation, !?5(J0,9o(3. 

Pembroke, in the southeast of Merrimack cotinty, west of the Merri- 
mack river, six miles from Concord, was the ancient Suncook of the 
Indians, and was granted under that name by the government of Mas- 
sachusetts, in May, 1727, to Captain John Lovewell and his brave asso- 
ciates, in consideration of their services against the savages. The pro- 
|)rietors were sixty in number, forty-six of whom attended the brave 
Lovewell in his last expedition to Pequawket, the remaining tiiirteen 
having shared his fortunes in his first enterprises against the Indians. 
The town was surveyed in 1728. and settlements were commenced by 
several of the grantees the following year. The Indians made many 
attacks on the settlement, and as a consequence it increased very slowly. 
James Carr. who was killed May 1, 1748, w-as the only person who lost 
his life by llic Indians. The inhabitants of Pembroke were interested, 
with Concord, in the long dispute maintained by Bow against the 
grantees of land in this vicinity. The act of incorporation was passed 
November 1. 1759, when the present name was given. Most of the 
original settlers were of Scotch and English descent, and the first 
church organized was of the Contjregational denomination, in iMarch, 



NEW HAMPSHIRE — TOWN OF PETERBOROUGH. 613 

l7o7, over which Rev. Aaron Whittomore was pastor from March 12, 
17o7, until November 16, 1767, when he was seized with paralysis in 
the pulpit, and shortly after died. A Presbyterian church was organized 
before tlie death of I\Ir. AVhittemore (the date is not known), over 
which Rev. Daniel Mitclid, a native of Ireland, was the pastor from 
December 8, 1760, until his death, December 16, 1776. This church 
afterwards united with the first church, and became Congregational. 
Under the new organization, Rev. Abraham Burnham, D. D., ordained 
March 2, 1S08, served the chiu'ch forty-three years. 

The soil of Pembroke is of a varied character, and is generally pro- 
(lnetiv(\ On the margin of the streams are small but valuable tracts of 
interval; and from these the land rises in extensive and beautiful swells, 
yielding abundant crops when under proper cultivation. Suncook river 
and other streams water the town, the former ait'ording several valuable 
mill seats. Pembroke is well laid out, the public roatls being mostly in 
right angles. The principal street is very pleasant, running in a direct 
course south 24° east about three miles, nearly on a parallel with, and 
about half a mile from, Merrimack river. On this street are many 
beautifid residences and some handsome public buildings. 

8uneot)k village, situated in the south part, on Suncook river, is a 
thriving little place ; but is just now only recovering from the eftects of 
a fire, which occurred August 31, 1854, destroying property to the 
amount of -$25,000. The Congregationalists have a chm-ch here, and 
the Methodists have two. The educational interests are probably on as 
firm and extensive a basis as any in the county, consisting of nine puli- 
lic schools and two incorporated academies, — the Blanchard Academy, 
and the Literary Institute and Gymnasium. The Chelmsford Glass 
Company manufacture the several varieties of glass ; and the Pembroke 
Mills, with a capital of $250,000, manufacture sheetings and printed 
goods. There are other mills, as well as two post-offices — Pembroke 
and Suncook. The Portsmouth and Concord Railroad passes through 
Pembroke. Population, 1,732 ; valuation, *#620,720. 

Petereorodgh, Hillsborough county, lies in a northeast direction from 
the Grand Monadnock, and is forty miles southwest from Concord. 
Jt was granted, in 1738, by the general court of Massachusetts (within 
the jurisdiction of which it was supposed to lie), to Samuel Haywood 
and others, who afterwards transferred their title to Jeremiah Gridley, 
John Hill, Fowie and William Vassal, the first settlements being made 
mider purchases from the last-named gentlemen. Two or three 
ineffectual attempts at settlement were made here ])i-ior to 1710, the 
first of which was made in 1739. In the former year a permanent 

\'0L. I. 52 



(514 JU.STUUY AND Dli-SCllirXiON Ui'' KEW KNliLAND. 

scttlfmriit was fommeiicccl, wlipii the first adveiihircrs iptnriirci, and 
icwivecl large accessions to their numbers from Tjondonderry, Lunen- 
burg, iMass., and other places, most of them being of the Scotch-Irish 
stock. l''ruin iliis tiiiii- ilic plantation increased rapidly, so thai in ten 
years il niiliraccil lil'iy i'aiiiilics. It was incorporated January 17, 1760, 
and toolv lis name iVoiu Peter Preseott, of Concord, Mass. The petition 
for inc(>r|)oraliou is signed by TluJUias Morrison, Jonathan Morrison, 
and Thomas Cunningham. The hardships experienced by the first 
settlers were severe ; far more so than those now experienced by the 
pioneers in our western territories. They were several times driven oft" 
by the enemy, and many of them almost ruined as to property ; yet, 
their little all was centred here, and " they returned to the settlement 
as soon as prudence would admit," where they continued, with willing 
hearts, to stem the tide of misfortune, which eventually yieldetl to tiieir 
will, and was supplanted by happiness and prosperity. 

The first church was Presbyterian, and was probably organized about 
1766, w'heii Rev. John Morrison, a Scotchman, was settled as pastor, 
who remained about five years. Rev. David Annan, al.so a Scotchman, 
succeeded him, being settled in 1788, and dismissed in 1792. Both 
these divines were men of profligate habits, and instead of religion 
prospering under their hands, it deteriorated. Mr. Morrison afterwards 
enlisted in the British army, and died in South Carolina. Mr. Aiman 
was deposed from the ministry by the presbytery of Londonderry. 
This church is now Unitarian. A Presbyterian church was again 
organized June 19, 1822, of several members of the old church, who 
built a meeting-house, and settled Rev. Peter Holt as their pastor. A 
('ongregational church was organized in 185-3, which has occasional 
preaching in the Presbyterian house. Ex-governor John II. Steele is a 
resident of this town. 

The first settlers of Pet(^rborough and their descendants have exhib- 
ited energy, courage, and patriotism. During the war which ct)m- 
menced in 17o-j, a number of young men enlisted in Rogers's coni]>any 
of rangers, and on the 13ili of March, 1758, a party of eight of them 
having fallen into an Indian ambuscade near Lake George, six of them 
were killed. The inhabitants were zealous also in the struggle for 
independence. Twenty-two were present at the baffle of Bunker 
Hill, and seventeen were actually engaged in that memorable conllict. 
Few towns in New England took a livelier interest in the cause, or 
furnished a greater number of soldiers in projiortioii to the number 
of inhabitants. There was not a man in the town who favored the 
British; and this j^atriotism has its fruit in the comfV)rts, conveniences, 
and plenty wITuh now sm-round the inhabitants. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE — TOWN OF PIERMONT. 615 

The surface of Peterborough is beautifully diversified with hills, vales, 
meadows, broad swells, brooks, rivulets, and rapidly flowing rivers. 
C'ontoocook river and the North Branch river afford not only a constant 
supply of water, lint several valuable mill privileges. On the latter 
stream are some of the best waterfalls in the state. A subject of no 
little interest in this town is its manufacturing enterprise. In 1S|0, I lie 
first cotton factory was put in operation, since which time no less than 
four others, and one for the manufacture of woollens, have been set 
in motion; besides two paper-mills, an iron foundery, a machine-shop, 
a carriage and a basket factory, an establishment for the manufacture 
of trusses and supporters, and one for boots and shoes : also, si'vi'u 
saw and three grain mills, as well as nine stores and two hotels. 'I'here 
are four meeting-houses — Unitarian, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Meth- 
odist; ten school districts; an academy; a bank, with a ca]iital of 
$50,000; a weekly newspaper — the Peterborough Transcript; three 
social libraries; and one post-office. Population, 2,i;22; valuation, 
$987,323. 

PlERMONT, in the western part of Grafton county, adjoins Haverhill on 
the north, and is seventy miles from Concord. John Temple and fifty- 
nine others were the grantees, having received their charter, November 
6, 1764. Piermont was settled, in the spring of 176^, by Ebenezer 
White, Levi Root, and Daniel Tyler, who located on the meadows ; and, 
in the autunm of the same year, David Tyler, wife, and son Jonathan, 
came on from Ijcbanon, Conn. Game was exceedingly abundant at 
this time, and many are the exploits which the earlier inhabitants had 
with bears. Jonathan Tyler, who came with liis parents in 1768, 
served his country in the Revolutionary war, and when the Americans 
n^reated from Ticonderoga at the approach of Burgoyne's army, he 
was taken |3risoner, but managed to effect his escape, with two other 
captives. They suffered extremely for want of the necessaries of life, 
and had to subsist on leaves, buds, and twigs of trees, and roots which 
they dug out of the ground. The Congregational cluu'ch was organ- 
ized in 1771. 

Piermont is about an average agricultural town. There are exten- 
sive tracts of interval and some fine plains, suited to the raising of 
wheat, corn, and all kinds of grain and grass. Back from the Connec- 
ticut river the surface is composed of swells, well watered with brooks 
and springs, and excellently adapted for mowing and grazing. Kast- 
man's ponds, three considerable bodies of water, lie in the northeast 
part, and from them issues Eastman's brook, which falls into Connecti- 
cut river, atlbrding many excellent mill privileges. Mills are erected on 



616 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

Indian lirook, in tlio south part. In Connecticut river, in the sonlhwc^st 
of the town, is a small islam!, known by the name ot' Barron's island, 
which jjossesses an extensive quarry of stones, suitable for mills, and 
various purposes in building. Pierinont is the only village. There are 
three clmrehcs — Congregational, Methodist, and Christian; fourteen 
school districts, and one post-ollice : al.-o, four saw-mills, one grist-mill, 
one shingle mill, one clapboard mill, and one carriage factory. The 
Connecticut and Passumpsic Rivers Railroad runs through Piermoiit. 
Population, 948; valuation, 8:J79,2S1. 

PiTTSUtiicii. Cous county, lies in the extreme northern end of the 
state, 165 miles north by east from Concord, and conlains t^vo 
hundred thottsand acres. Pittsburgh is composed of all the land 
originally known as the Indian Stream territory, the Carlisle grant, 
Colebrook Academy grant, and some sixty thousand acres of the 
state lands. It was the theatre of the Indian Stream war: and over the 
territory known by that name the British government had jurisdiction 
tintil 1842, when the Webster and Ashburton treaty decided the 
cjuestion in favor of the United States.^ Pittsburgh w'as first settled 
about 1810. General Moody Bedel, an officer in the w'ar of 1812, John 
Haines, Rev. Nathaniel Perkins, Jeremiah Tabor, Ebenezer Fletcher, 
and aboitt fifty others, were early settlers. They each claimed two 
hundred acres of land, which they represented to be by proprietary 
grants, a title which the state refused at first to acknowdedge. In con- 
sideration, however, of the hardships and privations endured by these 
pioneers, the state subsequently reversed its former decision, and rein- 
stated them in their possessions. The town was incorporated Decem- 
ber 10, 1840. 

Pittsburgh is by far the most extensive town, in point of territory, in 
the state, and has a rough and uneven surface. Large tracts of interval 
are found on the streams. It has agricultural facilities of a high order, 
and Indian corn, buckwheat, and the English grains, are produced 
aliundanlly. Spruce, birch, beech, and rock maple are the prevailing 
trees, and white pine exists in small quantities. Indian, HalFs, and 
l\'rry"s streams lie within the town; and, during the spring and fall. 
have sutficient water to raft timber for several miles. In the northeast 
part is Connecticut lake, five and a half miles in length and two 
and a half in width, the source of one of the principal branches oi' 
Connecticut river. Four miles above this is Second lake, about two 
and a half miles long, and one and three quarters wide, being joined 

• 
' For a more extended aeeount. see ante, p. 390. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF PITTSFIELD. 617 

to Connecticut lake by a considerable stream. Third lake, cover- 
ing about two hundred acres, is situated near th(> hii^hlands dividing 
New Hampshire from Canada. Game is plenty, and the waters 
abound in fish. There are two religious societies — Methodist and 
(^hristian ; six school districts, and one post-otHce : also, four saw-mills, 
two grist-mills, and one starch factory. Population, 425; valuation, 
.f7rt,4G6. 

PiTTSFiELP, in the northeastern corner of Merrimack county, fifteen 
miles from Concord, is a small town, originally the northerly part of 
Chichester, and was incorporated May 27, 1782. Nearly all the land 
in this part of the parent town was owned by Colonel Tappan of 
Hampton, a wealthy land-owner. Permanent settlements were not 
made till near 1771, when Colonel Tappan presented John Cram of 
Hampton with the mill privilege where the cotton-mill now stands, and 
a large tract of land in that vicinity, as an inducement to settle, and 
build a saw-mill. Nathaniel Chase and Abraham Green of Beabrook, 
and Jabez Tucker of Salisbury, accompanied Mr. Cram, and made im- 
provements about the same tim(\ As Pittsfield was not settled till a 
late date, the inhabitants did not taste any of the bitterness of Indian 
warfare. Traces of wigwams and corn-fields have been found, and do- 
mestic impleinents and other articles have turned up, which, with the 
remains of a pipe-kiln near Wild-goose pond, give presumptive evidence, 
if nothing more, that this town was once quite a resort of the savages. 

At a meeting held January 6, 1782, the town voted to erect a njeet- 
ing-house for the Congregational society, and that it should stand where 
the present town-house now is. It was raised in 1787, and completed 
in 1789. Jonathan Brown, a schoolmaster, was hired by vote of the 
town. May 3, 1783, to keep school six months, at s^O per month, and it 
was voted to hire a minister for two months. A vote occurs on the 
town books. May 16, 1784, which is worthy of emulation in these mod- 
ern days, namely : " To take some method to take care of those persons 
in town who spend their time in idleness and are oitt of employment, 
and set them to work." A Congregational society was formed Novem- 
ber 17, 1789, Rev. CInistopher Paige being the first minister. He was 
dismissed January 7, 1796, since which time the pastoral relation has 
been sustained at short intervals by different divines. The cause of so 
many changes is attributable to the inability of the society to support 
the ministry. A Free-will Baptist church was formed some two 
months after the Congregational, and a Baptist church organized in 
1801, over which Rev. Benjamin Sargent was ordained pastor. The 
Baptist and Congregational societies afterwards, April 29, 1802, com- 
52" 



618 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

inunod together niuler Mr. Sargent, and continued thus till his death, 
March 15, IHIS. The Baptist church reorganized October 29, 1818, so 
that the union so long existing was dissolved. The old einirch edifice, 
where meetings were held for half a century, is now used as a town- 
house. 

The surface of Pittsfield is diversified, though the soil is fertile and 
well cultivated. Catamount mountain, so named by some hunters who 
killed a catamount on its side, is the principal elevation, extending 
across the southeasterly part ; and from it a fine view of the surround- 
ing coimtry can be obtained. Mineral ore abounds about this momi- 
tain, which has attracted some attention of late, and materially afli'cts 
the magnetic needle. The town is drained by Suncook river, which 
afibrds excellent water power. There is a mineral spring in Wolf 
lueadow, said to possess some medicinal properties. Wild goose pond, 
situated in the northeast corner of the town, and Berry pond, on tiic 
mountain, are the largest collections of water. The village, on the banks 
of the Suncook, is a place of considerable trade. It contains five 
church edifices — Friends, Baptist, Congregational, Free-will Baptist, 
and Second Advent; one bank, the Pittsfield, capital $50,000; the 
Pittsfield Savings Bank ; a flourishing academy ; and one cotton-mill — 
the Pittsfield Manufacturing Company. The town has two other vil- 
lages — Upper City and Dow Borough; ten school districts, and one 
post-office : also, one grist-mill, with four run of stones, and machinery 
for bolting flour; two saw-mills, three shingle mills, two clapboard mills, 
and one door, sash, and blind factory. The social and religious priv- 
ileges of Pittsfield are unusually good ; but the business interests suffer 
for the want of a closer proximity to the railroad. Population, 1,828; 
valuation, $638,510. 

Plaixfield, in the western part of Sullivan county, on Connecticut 
river, and opposite Hartland, Vt., is fifty-five miles from Concord. It 
was granted August 14, 1761, and the settlement is said to have been 
commenced in 1764, by L. Nash and J. Russel.' Its name was derived 
from a place in Connecticut, where the proprietors held their first meet- 
ing. About one half of Grantham was annexed to Plainfield about 
two years since. The Congregationalists organized the first church. 

' Rov. Grant Powers, in his Histovv of the Cobs Country, says, that wlien John ]\Iann, 
on liis journey from Cliarlestown to Orford, where he settled in 1 70.'), passed throufxh 
Plainfielil, the only family in town was that of Francis Smith, whose wife was " terribly " 
liomesick, and declared she " would not stay there in the woods." Those, tlierefore, 
who are rejircsented as having settled in 17C4, must have become discouraged and left, 
or the date must be wronn;. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF I'LAISTOW. 619 

over which Rev. Abraham Carpenter was settled, in 1773 or 1774, with- 
out any action on the part of tiie town. In 1779, tiie town voted to 
accept of Mr. Sinitli Carpenter, who received the i>;rant of land for tlie 
first settled minister. He was accustomed to ))n>aeii in " liis own 
liitchen, and in other private honses in the winter; and in the open air, 
or in a meeting-house having neither doors nor windows, in the sum- 
mer." In 1804, a second church was formed, over which Rev. Micaiah 
Porter was minister for about twenty years. In 1889 and 1840 two 
meeting-houses were built, the second jointly by Universalists, Bap- 
tists, and Methodists. Recently an Episcopal society has been organ- 
ized. 

The agrieultiM'al advantages of Plaintield are good. On the margin of 
the Connecticut there are extensive tracts of valuable interval, and in 
other parts of the town are excellent meadows. Water is supplied 
by a small stream, which flows from Croydon mountain. Water- 
([ueechy falls is the only water power of any note, ll-art's island, con- 
taining nineteen acres, situated in Connecticut river, lies southwest of 
this town. There are two ponds. 

Plainfield contains three villages — Plaintield, on the banks of the 
Connecticut, having two church edifices and a town-house. One of the 
churches is occujiied by the Congregationalists, and the other by various 
religious denominations. Meriden is the principal village, and is pleas- 
antly situated on a beautiful plain, having a street intersecting it from 
north to south. In this village is located the Kimball Union Academy, 
a nourishing institulion, one of the best endowed and most popular 
in the state. To the late Hon. Daniel Kimball belongs the honor of 
having permanently established so meritorious an inslitution. A great 
numl)er of voung men and women are annually educated here. There 
is a church edifice in this village (having a town-hall underneath), which 
is occupied by the Congregationalists. East Plainfield has an old 
church edifice, which is occasionally occupied. There are in town 
twelve school districts; two stores; and three |jost-ofRces, one in each 
of the villages. Population, 1,392 ; valuation, $557,500. 

Plaistow, in I he southeast(>rn part of Rockingham county, adjoins 
Haverhill, iNIass., and is thirty-six miles from Concord. The territory 
originally belonged to Haverhill, and was included in the tract pur- 
chased from the Indians, November 16, 1642. The settlement of Plais- 
tow was commenced very early, btit the exact date cannot be ascer- 
tained. The names of some of the early settlers have, however, come 
down to us, such as Captain Charles Bartlett, Nicholas White, Ben- 
jamin Kimball, and ,1. Harriman, some of whose posterity still n^side 



620 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

here. After llip annexation of Plaistow to New Hampshire, a charter 
was granted, dated February 28, 1749. The Congregational ehiirch 
here originally belonged to the '• north precinct of Haverhill, Mass.," and 
was organized November 4, 1730. James Cashing was ordained pastor 
December 2, 1731, and continued with the church until his death. May 
13, 1764. Gyles Merrill was pastor from March 6, 1765, until his death, 
April 27, 1801. After this, the church was without a settled minister 
twenty-five years, since which it has had four pastors. Eight men have 
entered the ministry from this church — six of them Congregationalists. 
one Methodist, and one Episcopalian. Deacon J. Harriman, said to 
have been the first man in New Hampshire who adopted Baptist senti- 
ments, died here in 1820, aged ninety-seven. 

The surface is in some parts rocky; but the soil — a mixture of [)la(k 
loam, clay, or gravel — is generally good. Mineral substances have 
been discovered; and clay is abundant in some parts of the town, from 
which bricks are made to a considerable extent. The fields and |)as- 
tures are well watered by springs. A sti'eam, the principal one in town, 
is formed near the centre, by the junction of two smaller streains, 
one of which runs from Kingston and the other from Hampstead. 
Plaistow Centre is the only village. There are here two churches, Bap- 
tist and Congregational ; four school districts and one post-oilier : 
also, three grist-mills and two saw-mills. There is a station of the 
Boston and Maine Railroad in this town. Population, 748 ; valuation, 
33,587. 



Plymouth, in the eastern part of Grafton county, is one of the shire 
towns, and is forty miles from Concord. It was granted July 15, 1763. 
to Joseph Blanchard and others, and was settled in June, 1764, bv 
Captain James Hobart and Lieutenant Zachariah Parker, with their 
families, who came from Hollis. In September of the same year, the 
settlement was increased by the arrival of Captain Jotham Cummings, 
Colonel David Webster, Lieutenant .losiah Brown, Ephraim Weston, 
.lames Blodget, Stephen Webster, and Sanuiel Dearborn, who, with 
the exception of Weston and Dearborn, also came from Hollis. When 
these pioneers came in, there was no bridge across any stream between 
Plymouth and Salisbury Lower Village, and no road but that marked 
out by spotted trees. In their route to this town they passed over the 
Merrimack into Litchfield, and pursued their journey, on the north side 
of the river, until they reached Holderness, where they crossed the Pem- 
igewasset into Plymouth, a short distance south of Baker's river. '["In- 
first meeting-house was built of logs, and a minister was settled July 
10, 176-'), when there were only eight families in the plantation. Rev. 



NEW UAMPSHIRE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH. fi2l 

Nathan Ward was the first proacher, and received as salary one hiuidnvl 
and fifty ounc(>s of silver (whicii was equal to about §166.50) and thirty 
cords of wood. Lydia Webster, born April, 1765, and Josiah Hobart, 
were the first children claiming nativity in Plymouth. Meal was 
l)rought from Concord, during the first years of the settlement, on a hand- 
sled. Ephraim Lund erected the first saw and grist-mill. Moose, bears, 
deer, and wolves were numerons when the first inhabitants arrived. 

The intervals in Plymnutli were formerly occupied by the Indians. 
It is stated, that, prior to the old French war, Massachusetts sent a com- 
pany, commanded by one Captain Baker from old Newbury, in search 
of the Indians, who had a settlement in the vicinity of llie Pemigewas- 
set, and that they discovered the Indians on the ndvth Ijank of Baker's 
river, in great nvmiliers, secure, as they supposed, from harm. Having 
i-hosen their position, the company opened a heavy lire upon the sav- 
ages, several of whom were killed, while tiie others ran in search of 
their hunters. Baker and his men crossed the river, where they found 
a large stock of furs hidden in holes on the banks of the river, which, 
after destroying the wigwams, they took away with them. In a poplar 
])lain in Bridgcwater, however, the Indians came up with Baker and his 
men, when a fight ensued, in which the former were worsted. ^ In New 
C^hester, the whites sat down to refresh themselves, fearful, however, that 
the Indians would overtake them. The friendly Indian, who had l)een 
with them through the whole expedition, advised that eacli man should 
build an extra number of fires, and that each should roast his pork on 
lour m- five forks of crotched sticks, so that, when the enemy came up 
and counted the sticks, they would imagine there was a large force, 
and would be inclined to give up the pursuit. The stratagem was suc- 
cessl'ul ; ihe Indians came up liefore the fires were extinguished, but as 
soon asthi'v liad counted ilie llrrs and I he sticks, retreated precipitately.^ 
Noah Johnson, one of LoveweU's men, died in Plymouth, in the one 
hundredth year of his age. Two lots in the eleventh range of Hebron 
were annexed to this town, June 26, 1^45. 

Plymouth is in some parts uneven ; but along the banks of the Pemi- 
gewasset and Baker's rivers there is some excellent interval. The soil 
generally is tolerably good, and is attentively cultivated. Water is 
abundant. Besides Pemigewasset and Baker rivers, there are numer- 

' Mr. Samuel Dearborn, one of the early settlers, -visited tliis plain, and found several 
sliulls, ^yhieh he supposed to be of persons who fell in that engagement, one or two of 
wliich were perforated by bullets. 

" From this eireumstanec, it is supposed, Baker's river derived its name. See (Jraut 
Powers's History of Coos Country. 



622 HISTORY AND DESCllIl'TlON OF NEW ENGLAND. 

ous lesser streams. There is l)ut one village, which is pleasantly situ- 
ated and beautifully ornamented with trees, while the roads intersecting 
it in various directions are adorned with shade trees. The private resi- 
dences are superior to those generaUy found in country towns, being 
large, and some of them making claim to architectural elegance. The 
court-house is a substantial brick building. The location for trade with 
the surrounding towns is all that could be wished, and gives Plymouth 
many advantages. The Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad 
renders communication with various points easy and expeditious. 
There are three church edifices — one Congregational and two Meth- 
odist ; a high school, called the Pemigewasset Academy ; twelve school 
districts; and two post-offices — Plymouth and West Plymouth: also, 
three establishments for making buckskin gloves and mittens, two car- 
riage factories, two grist-mills, six saw-mills, one planing mill, and 
many mechanic shops, besides several stores and hotels. Population. 
1,290; valuation, .•?400.16H. 

PoRTSMOiTii, Rockingham county, lying on the south side of Piscata- 
qua river, is forty-two miles from Concord, and the only seaport in the 
state. This city is one of the most ancient in New England, having 
been visited in the beginning of the seventeenth century by Captain 
Martin Pring, sent out under the patronage of some merchants of Bris- 
tol, England, April 10, 1603, with two ships, the SpeedweJl and Discov- 
erer, for tiie purpose of explorations. Pring entered the channel of the 
Piscataqua and explored it for three or four leagues, and landed, it is 
presumed, upon the present site of the city, having come in search of 
.sassafras, then considered of great value as a medicine. In 1 G23, one of 
the two parties of settlers sent out by the company of Laconia, landed at 
Portsmouth, — David Thompson, a Scotchman, being prominent amongst 
them, who built a house, the year of his arrival, at Odiorne's Point, 
a few rods north of the evident remains of an ancient fort now visible. 
which was the first house in the settlement, and was afterwards called 
Mason Hall. In 1624, Thompson left the settlement, and located himself 
on an island in Massachusetts bay, now known as Thompson's island. 
The object of this settlement was for the purpose of prosecuting the fish- 
eries; and, as a large quantity of salt was necessary for the preservation 
of the fish, salt-works were erected here, and salt manufactured to good 
advantage. 

In November. Kiol. all that territory comprised in the original limits 
of Portsmouth which included the towns of New Castle, Rye, and a 
part of Newington and Greenland, was granted to Sir Ferdinando 



NEW IIAMPSIIIRE — CITY OF PORTSMOUTH. 623 

(Jorges, Captain John Mason, John Cotton, Henry Gardner, and five 
others. The settlements did not advance very rapidly. The first house 
erected within the present limits of Portsmouth was built about, tliree 
miles from tiie mouth of the main river near the corner of Water and 
Court streets, and was called tlie Great House. A large numljer of 
servants were sent over by Mason, among whom were six stewards and 
twenty-two women, together with arms, aniiiumition, stores, provisions, 
and cattle. 

The bank of the river above wliere the Great House was built, and 
extending some distance above wiiat is now called Church hill, pro- 
duced a large quantity of strawberries, on which account Portsmouth 
was called Strawberry Bank. In 1640, there being no efficient govern- 
ment, the inhabitants decided to establisli one among themselves, and 
elected Francis Williams governor, with Ambrose Gibbins and Thomas 
Waimerton as assistants. This continueil till the following year, when 
the union with Massachusetts was formed. 

In 1640, fifty acres of land were set apart for a church and parsonage, 
and Richard Gibson was chosen the first minister. The members of 
this church were not Puritans ; ijut, says Governor Winthrop, " some 
of them were professed enemies to the way of our churclies." A part 
of this estate is now situated in the compact part of the town, on the 
westerly side of Court street. The chapel was furnished with one great 
Bible, tv^'elvc service-books, one pewter flagon, one communion cup 
with cover of silver, two fine tablecloths, and two napkins, sent over by 
Mason. Mr. Gibson had not been long at Portsmouth when he was 
summoned before the court of Boston, although out of their jurisdiction, 
for an alleged offence against the government. It seems that he had 
expressed himself very freely about the government of Massachusetts, 
as interfering with that of New Hampshire. There was no trial, or he 
would have been acquitted of any charges against him. The general 
court of Massachusetts agreed to dismiss all action, provided he would 
leave the country. Accordingly, he promptly returned to England. 

In 1656, the town participated in the terrible delusion then sweeping 
over New England. Jane Walford was tried for witchcraft. In 1662, 
it was ordered at town meeting " that a cage be made, or some other 
nutans be invented by the selectmen to punish such as sleep, or take 
tobacco on the Lord's day, out of the meeting in the time of the public 
exercise ; " and, "that whoever shall kill a wolf within the bounds of this 
town, and shall bring some of the next neighbours where such wolf is 
killed, to testify it was done in the town's bounds, and shall nayle the 
head of such wolf killed, upon the meeting-house, he shall have five 



024 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

pounds for liis payncs.'' ^ In 1(505-6, the town was visited by royal 
eommissionors appointed at the instance of Mason and his heirs, who 
complained that Massachusetts was guilty of encroachments, in the 
exercise of jurisdiction, and in making grants in New Hampshire ; but, 
after the withdrawal of the commissioners, who decided nothing re- 
specting Mason's clainis, Massachusetts again peaceably exercised 
authority, and the majority of the inhabitants appeared satisfied. 
Although these troubles were renewed, and lasted for many years, 
during which this town was, for the most part, the theatre of the con- 
tn)versy, as tiiey were not merely local in character, the propriety of the 
omission of them here will be at once perceived. 

In 1G69, the inhabitants made a subscription of £-'>0 towards the 
erection of a new building for Harvard College, and pledged the same 
amount anmially for seven years, wdiich obligation was, in 1673, 
assumed by the town. Rev. Joshua Moodcy, who had preached for the 
church here from 1658 to 1671, was settled in the latter year, and con- 
tinued to till the pastoral office, with great inHuence and acceptability 
to his parish, until his persecution and imprisonment by Governor 
Cranfield in 1684. He was obliged to quit the province ; but his pas- 
toral relations were not formally dissolved until 1691, when he was 
succeeded by Rev. John Cotton for a short time. Mr. Moodey resumed 
his labors, upon Tu-gent solicitation, in 1693, and remained till his death 
in 1697. In 1739, the inhabitants of Portsmouth took a very active 
part against the j)roposed consolidation of New Hampshire and Massa- 
chusetts under one goveniinent, whicli resulted in the entire separation 
of New llanipsiiire, and the appointment of Benning Wentworth as 
governor. 

In 1745, the ])eople of this place listened to the fervid eloquence of 
that eminent servant of God, George Whitefield. During a severe 
illness here of several weeks, which nearly proved fatal, he received 
attentions from his devoted friend, Colonel — afterwards Sir William — 
P(^pperr(li. In 1770, during the week preceding his death, he preached 
four times in Portsmouth. In 1761, a two-horse stage commenced 
rumiing between Portsmouth and Bo.ston, making the route in two 
days. This is supposed to have been the first stage which was run in 
.\merica. The settlement progressed rapidly, and improvements were 
prosecuted vigorously. Contentions sometimes arose and difficulties 
were encomitered, which would occupy too much space to recount; 
suffice it to say, that the former were in time quieted and the latter 
surmounted. \\'ithin the memory of the present generation, a garrison 

' Similar enactments weiT made in <)uitc a number of other towns in New England. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH. 62-5 

house stood in Water street, another in Fore street, and a third at the 
ferry-ways, which were probably the first houses on the " Bank." With 
the exccplion of these, the earliest settlements were made at the South 
road. 

Portsmouth fortunately almost wholly escaped the depredations of 
the Indians, which was owing, in a great measure, to the peculiar 
advantages of its situation. Secured on three sides by the Piscataqua, 
the ocean, anil an inlet, the savages could only gain access to it by the 
isthmus which connects it with tlie main land, and, at this point, a 
stockade fence was erected for the purpose of defence. The houses of 
the settlers were also built in a compact manner, and the number of 
inhabitants at an early date was considerable. In 1773, the town took 
a prominent part in resisting the tea tax ; and, at a pubhc meeting of the 
citizens, it passed resolutions indicating a determination not to be behind 
their neiglibors of Boston in the prot(H:-tion of their rigiits. The next 
year they had occasion to make a practical test of their courage, upon 
the arrival, in June and September, of two lots of tea, consigned to 
Edward Parry. By public meetings, and other demonstrations not to 
be mistaken, their object was eflected, as far as the tea was concerned, 
which was reshipped and sent to Halifax. For the long struggle which 
followed, Portsmouth was found ready, and in it her full proportion of 
men and means was embarked. In 1800, the national census showed 
this town to contain 5,339, and in 1S20, 7,327 inhabitants. In 1802, a 
very destructive fire swept off whole squares of buildings, and property 
to the amount of §200,000 ; and in 1813, the town was visited by a 
still more extensive conflagration. In 1823, the people commemorated 
with fitting ceremonies the two hundredth year from the settlement of 
Portsmouth. 

Portsmouth has always borne a higli reputation, and, in Uie days of 
the colonial government, was selected as a very desirable place of resi- 
dence. It was, for many years, the home of the royal governors and 
the king's council, and has been distinguished for men of patriotism, 
among whom inay be mentioned William Vaughan, who claimed to 
be the projector of the siege of Louisburg, under Pepperrell ; Dr. Cutter, 
a surgeon in that expedition ; Colonel Meserve, one of its brightest 
spirits ; Major Hale, an officer in one of the regiments ; William 
Whipple, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence ; and 
Governor John Langdon, a distinguished Revolutionary officer, and the 
president of the senate when General Washington was elected presi- 
dent of the United States; and the two governors, John and Benning 
Wentworth. Here also resided many men distinguished in general 

VOL. I. 58 



626 JIISTORY AND DESCIUI'TION OF NEW ENULAND. 

literature, or belonging to one or the other of the learned professions, 
among whom may be noticed Rev. Nathaniel Rogi^rs (son of President 
Rogers of Harvard College, and a descendant of the martyr), who suc- 
ceeded Mr. Moodey in a pastorate of twenty-six years ; Rev. Samuel 
Langdon, pasior for twenty-seven years, till called to the presidency of 
Harvard College ; Rev. Ezra Stiles, for one year, till invited to the pres- 
idency of Yale College ; Rev. Joseph Buckminster, pastor for thirty- 
three years ; Rev. Israel W. Putnam, pastor for twenty years ; Rev. 
Samuel Haven, minister for fifty-four years; his successor. Rev. Timothy 
Alden, the antiquarian ; and Rev. Arthur Brown, uiinister for thirty- 
seven years; .loiiathan M. Sewall, a lawyer and poet; Nathaniel A. 
Haven, a man of letters and rich classical attainuients ; John Pickering, 
chief justice; Richard Evans, a lawyer; Woodbury Langdon, only 
brother of the governor, and member of the old congress ; Judges Sher- 
burne and Parker. Among the later men, eminent as statesmen and 
lawyers, were Levi Woodbury, who resided here from 1819 until his 
death ; Daniel Webster, from 1S07 to 1816, when he removed to Bos- 
ton; and Jeremiah Mason (a descendant of Captain John Mason, of 
Connecticut), from 1792 to 1832, when he also removed to Boston. In 
1802, ho was attorney-general of New Hampshire, and a senator in con- 
gress from 1813 to 1817. Among the merchants arc found John Cutts, 
tlie Wibirds, Daniel Rindge, Pierce Long, Theodore Atkinson, Mark 
H. Wentworth, the Pcnhallows, James Sheafe, and Horace A. Haven. 
The names of many others luight be added, whose talents and achieve- 
ments have won them a page in history, — names which will long be 
recalled with a just pride. It must be a matter worthy of respectful 
remembrance by the people of Portsmouth, liiat the great Washington, 
the most honored and cherished of American patriots, has walked in 
their strei'is. fished in their harlior, slept in the city, engaged in public 
worship, and received, with alfectionate regard, the homage of the citi- 
zens. 

The name Portsmouth was given to this town by Captain John 
Mason, the original proprietor of the province, from Portsmouth in 
England, of which he was governor. The town is about five miles and 
three quarters in length and three and a half in widiii. The most popu- 
lous and thickly built portion is situated on a peninsula on the south 
side of the river, formed by the north and south mill-ponds, and con- 
nected with tile main land l)y a narrow isthiuus on the northwest, and 
by bridges at tiie outlets of the two mill-ponds. The surface is uneven, 
but the hills are of inconsiderable height. Many of the streets are nar- 
row and irregularly laid out; a luimber are paved; and all of them have 
brick side-walks. "'J'lie buildings are principally of bri.k, but the antique 






li 







NEW HAMPSHIRE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH. 027 

predominates over the modern style of architecture. Before the com- 
iiiencemcat of the present century there were but four brick dwelling- 
houses in the town, the rest were all of wood. The streets and dwelling- 
houses are well supplied with water by the Portsmouth Aqueduct Com- 
pany, from a spring about two and a half miles from Market square. 
The air of Portsmouth is salubrious, and the inhabitants enjoy good 
health. The town aboimds in pleasant drives, and the scenery by which 
it is surrounded is Ix-autiful in the extreme ; from every elevation, some 
handsome laiidsraix' view can be seen. These, together with its prox- 
imity to the sea and neighboring beaches and its general cleanliness 
and comfort, render it a delightful summer resort. The view given 
upon the opposite page has lately been taken from a prominent point 
u|)on the souUi road, about a third of a mile from the centre of the city, 
and a little west of the public cemetery. In the foreground is a green 
meadow with a portion of a neighboring pond. Standing out above 
the horizon is seen .Alount Agamenticus, in York, Me., about Fifteen 
miles distant. The picture embraces all the churches and the \nirt 
containing the more elegant private residences, and is claimed by citi- 
zens of Portsmouth to be truthful, and to present the city from the most 
agreeable and familiar point. 

Portsmouth is particularly noted for its safe and commodious harbor, 
which is sheltered by islands and headlands, not only from every storm, 
but the encroachments of an enemy, however large the force. The 
principal entrance, which is Ix-tween Kittery Point and the east side 
of New Castle, is defended by Fort McCleary on the former, and 
Fort Constitution on the nortlieast point of the latter. The water is 
from seventy to eighty feet deep, sufficient for vessels of the largest 
class, and the anchorage is good. The rise of the tide is from seven 
to fourteen feet; and the rapidity of the current is such that, in the 
strength of the tide, it runs from three to five miles an hour, in conse- 
quence of which the channel is never frozen as far up as Dover point, 
where the several branches of the river meet. These advantages ren- 
der it one of the most unrivalled harbors on the continent; and the 
erection by government of a navy yard here is a sufficient proof of the 
fact. This naval establishment is built upon an island on the east side 
of the river, known as Navy island, where are buildings for the accom- 
modation of the otlicers and men stationed here ; wharves, where the 
largest ships in the navy can lie at anchor; ship-houses, one of which is 
300 feet long, 131 wide, and 73 high ; and extensive sheds for the pres- 
ervation of timber; as well as rigging-loft, machine-shop, smithery, car- 
penters' shops, and all the paraphernalia necessary for a large naval sta- 
tion. The floating balance dry-dock is an ingenious piece of mechanism, 



628 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

coiistructpcl on tiie most approved principles, and cost, with its appen- 
dages, about §800,000. Tlie ship-building facilities in this yard are 
unrivalled, and Portsmouth has just reason to be proud of her reputa- 
tion in this respect. The first ship of war ever built on this side of the 
Atlantic; the first line-of-battle ships built by the United States govern- 
ment ; and the Co>iffress, the largest and best frigate now in our navy, 
were built here. Seventeen of our national vessels have been con- 
structed at this place, and more are projected. The territory embraced 
within the limits of the island is fifty-eiglit acres. The usual naval 
officers and seamen, as well as a company of marines with their officers, 
are stationed here. 

Portsmouth is still the centre of an important trade, though it has 
considerably diminished from what it was in former years. The ship- 
ping belonging to the port, in June, 1856, according to the records at the 
custom-house, amounted in the aggregate to 25,293 tons. Besides these 
there are a number of small vessels, from five to twenty tons, employed in 
fishing and other seafaring pursuits, and a number of packets, which ply 
between this port and places at the head of the river — Dover, Berwick, 
Exeter, and others. The three steamers which run on Winnepcsaukee 
lake, having in the aggregate 505 tons, are enrolled at tiie custom-house 
in this port. From October, 1850, to June, 1856, there were sixty-one 
vessels built in Portsmouth, amounting in the aggregate to 48,501 tons. 
Of these, forty-nine were ships, one was a bark, two were brigs, and 
eight were schooners. In 1857, there were six ships o:i the stocks, aver- 
aging about 1,100 tons each. 

The soil of Portsmouth is not good, and hence the city has not been 
distinguished in an agricultural way, though there are some excel- 
lent farms. A horticultural society has been established, and great 
interest is manifested in the Rockingham Agricultural Society, which 
held a meeting here in the autumn of 1857. The manufacturing inter- 
ests are extensive. The most important corporation in the city is the 
Portsmouth Steam Factory, producing annually three million yards of 
the finest quality of lawns, and giving employment to about four hun- 
dred hands. The works of the Sagamore Manufacturing Company have 
been purchased by this company. The leading manufactures of the 
city comprise ropes, spool-cotton, hosiery, iron castings, and boots and 
shoes. Portsmouth contains four banks, with an aggregate capital of 
.$691,000; a savings bank, with deposits, up to January, 1856, of 
$836,371.49 ; an insurance company, a very efficient fire department, 
and two cemeteries. The principal public buildings are the Athena;um, 
the Rockingham bank, the almshouse, the market-houses, and the 
chapel of the Episcopal church. The custom-house is located at the 



NEW HAMPSnillE TOWN OF RANDOLni. 629 

junction of Penhallow and Daniel streets. A new one is in eourse 
of erection on the nortlieast side of Pleasant and State streets. The 
literary advantages ^vhieh Portsmouth possesses are very respeeta- 
l)le. The Athen;puni has a library of over eight thousand voiunies, 
the Mercantile Library Association has one of 1,500 volumes, Hie 
Young Men's Cln-istian Association one of five hundred volumes, and 
there are several others belonging to religious societies. There are 
eight church edifices — one each of TTnitarian, Episcopalian, Congre- 
gational, Baptist, Universalist, Methodist Episcopal, Roman Catholic, 
and Christian,^ as well as two societies without churches — the Advent- 
ists and the FnM'-wiil Baptists; three school districts — North, Middle, 
and South — with eighteen schools, conducted on tiie best system, hav- 
ing an attendance of 2,101 scholars, one thousand of which are girls, 
and 1,101 boys. There is a high sciiool for girls and boys, which cost, 
including the land, ^22,849; as also the Haven school, erected in 
1849 at a cost of $12,000. The Portsmouth Marine Society, the 
Mechanic Association, the Howard Benevolent Society, five Masonic 
lodges, and three lodges of Odd-Fellows, are institutions of a meritori- 
ous character. Four newspapers are published here, one of which is 
issued daily ; and there is one post-oiiice. 

Portsmouth received a city charter, July 6, 1849. It is connected with 
all the most important points by means of railroads, and with Kittery, 
Me., and Newcastle by bridges. There are four light-houses attached 
to this district, namely, Newcastle, Whale's Back, White island, and 
Boone island. Though Portsmouth has suffered much from disastrous 
fires, and has been coiupelled to relinquish to the larger cities some of 
its former extensive trade, still its wealth and population are large, and 
give evidence of abundant increase. Population, in 18-')8j about 11,000; 
valuation, $6,242,624. 

Randolph, in the southern part of Coils county, eighty-nine miles 
from Concord, was granted to John Durand and others, from London, 
on the 20th of August, 1772, receiving the surname of the first proprie- 
tor as its title, which was altered to the present one on its incorporation, 
June 16, 1824. Joseph Wilder and Stephen Jillson were the earliest 
inhabitants. Randolph has a bleak and rough ap])earance, and lies at 
the foot of the White Mountains, its southern boundary being far up on 
Mount Madison. There is a portion of the land adapted to agriculture ; 
but those who desire a home seem to neglect Randolph for more popu- 



' This church has been convertcil iritn dwelling-houses. A new one is about being 
erected by this society in another part of the city. 

5-3* 



630 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

lous regions. The near view of the White Moiintains from this town 
is one of peculiar beauty and grandeur. Randolph Hill, but a few 
miles from the (ilen House, and many other elevations here, are an- 
nually resorted to by the summer traveller. Mounts Adams, Jefferson, 
and Madison can be seen entire from base to summit on Randolph hill, 
and roniantie prospects are visible on almost every hand. Branches 
of Moose and Israel's rivers, and numerous smaller streams, afford 
abundance of water. There is no church edifice or regularly organized 
religious society in town, but occasional preaching is had. There are 
two school districts, and one post-office : also, one hotel, one saw-mill, 
and one shingle, lath, and clapboard machine. Population, llo : valua- 
tion, .139,950. 

Raymond, near the centre of Rockingham county, twenty-five miles 
from Concord, was originally that part of Chester called Freetown. It 
• was made a distinct parish in 1762, and incorporated in 1764. The 
first inhabitants came from Hampton, Danville, Kingston, Chester, and 
Exeter. It is presumed that the early settlements were mostly in the 
easterly part of the town, and that, at the time of its incorporation, a 
very considerable part of the inhabitants Uved in the vicinity of the place 
called Freetown Mills. The town-meetings were holden at the iiouse of 
Benjamin Bean, in that neighborhood, for several years. In 1767, being 
three years after the charter was granted, the census was taken, when 
it was found that the total population was 455. The first meeting-house 
was raised in 1786, prior to which meetings were held in the house of 
Benjamin Bean. This meeting-house was surrounded by a dense for- 
est, and Rev. Mr. Stearns of Epping, who preached the dedication ser- 
mon, took for his text the sixth verse of Psalm lo2 : " Lo, we heard of 
it at Ephrata, we found it in the fields of the wood." A wag, probably 
from the same circumstance, posted up an advertisement that he had 
" found a stray meeting-house in the woods." This meeting-house was 
subsequently removed from its semi-civilized location to what is now 
the present centre of business. The Congregational church was organ- 
ized in 1791. In the year 1834, a new meeting-house was built by 
them. Rev. .Tonathan Stickney was ordained pastor in the year 1800, 
though many ministers had preached previously to that time, but none 
were settled. 

During the Revolutionary war several citizens left the endearments 
of home for the field of conflict. The names of twenty-four are found 
enrolled among the soldiers of the Revolution. Others were engaged 
for a shorter period. Four were killed or died in the service. David 
Oilman of this town was second lieutenant in the second company of 



NEW HAMPSniRE TOWN OF RICHMOND. 631 

the second battalion, raised in 1776. Hon. John Dudley, who resided here 
nearly forty years, deserves a respectful notice. He was a lineal descend- 
ant of Governor Thomas Dudley, who came to Massachusetts in 1630, 
who was himself directly descended from the barons of Dudley in Eng- 
land, and not unworthy of their distinguished name. He was born at 
Exeter, April 9, 1725 ; was a member of the legislature from 1775 to 
1784, and for two years was speaker of the house. He was also a prom- 
inent member of the committee of safety, which consisted of three, and 
sat in the recess of the legislature during the whole period of the Revo- 
lution ; was, for nineteen years, one of the judges of the court of 
common pleas, and twelve years judge of the highest court. Judge Dud- 
ley died May 21, 1805, aged eighty years, leaving a numerous posterity. 
Raymond has an uneven surface, and soil of various quality, which is 
not generally of the best kind, though there are many productive farms. 
The roads are of a good description, and are being improved daily. A 
natural excavation in the rock, called the " oven," from the peculiarity of 
its mouth, lies in the northern division of the town. It is an arch, five 
feet in height, and of the same width, extending into the hill about fif- 
teen feet. It was formerly a haunt for rattlesnak(-s. The Pawtuck- 
away river passes through the northeast corner of Raymond, and two 
branches of Lamprey river from Deerfield and Candia form a junction 
here, receiving the waters of the ponds as they run through. Raymond 
Centre is the only village. There are three church edifices — • Methodist, 
Congregational, and Baptist ; ten school districts, and one post-office : 
also, one shoe manufactory, three stores, and the usual mechanic shops. 
"The Portsmouth and Concord Railroad passes through Raymond. 
Population, 1,25(5 ; valuation, $284,023. 

RicHMOXD, on the boundary between New Hampshire and Massachu- 
setts, is in the southern part of Cheshire county, seventy miles from Con- 
cord, and was granted to Joseph Blanchard, February 28, 1752. It was 
settled some five years from that time by emigrants from Rhode Island 
and Massachusetts. The first native of the town was Lemuel Scott. 
The first Baptist church was formed in 1768. Rev. Maturin Ballon 
was ordained in 1770, and lived until 1804 ; Rev. Artemas Aldrich was 
settled in 1777. The second Baptist church was formed in 1776, and 
Rev. Isaac Kenny was settled in 1792. The soil is good, and is prolific 
in those productions common to this section of New England. The 
surface is, on the average, level. Minerals of various kinds are found 
here, and soapstone is abundant. lolite, a rare mineral and of consid- 
erable value, exists in beautiful specimens. The town is supplied with 
water by the Ashuelot and Miller's rivers, both which fall into the Con- 



632 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

necticiit. There are three ponds, one of which is the source of Miller's 
river. The iiiaiiufacture of palni-lcaf hats has given employment to 
some of the inhabitants, several thousand dollars' worth being made 
annually. The town has three villages, known by the names of Rich- 
mond Centre, Richmond Four Corners, and North Richmond; three 
church edifices, belonging respectively to the Baptists, the Quakers, and 
the Universalists ; and fourteen school districts. There are 86,000 in- 
vested in trade, the annual sales of which are 818,000 ; §42,000 invested 
in manufactures, the annual sales being $-50,000. The names of the 
post-offices are Richmond and North Richmond. Population, 1,128 ; 
valuation, $;o4o,819. 

RlNDGE, Cheshire county, is situated on the high lands between Con- 
necticut and Merrimack rivers. The settlement of the town, originally 
called Rowley- Canada, or Monadnock No. 1, was commenced by Jona- 
than Stanley, George Hewitt, Abel Platts, and others, in the year 1752 ; 
and, in 1775, it was peopled by a stern and hardy race of men, by whom 
the trees of the forest were made to recede, to give place to the comfort- 
able habitations and the cultivated farms of civilization. The first na- 
tive was Samuel Russell. The charter of the town is dated February 
11, 1768. The inhabitants of Rindge were early opposers of British 
tyranny, and were prompt to answer the summons to arms. On the 
night subsequent to the battle of Lexington, a messenger arrived at the 
house of the captain of the company of minute-men with the news of 
the battle. The men belonging to this company resided in different 
parts of the town ; and, so ready were they to obey the summons for 
men, that, at sunrise on the 20th of April, no less than fifty-four were 
assembled upon the common ready to march to meet the foe. Three 
of the number fell at Bunker Ilill. Rindge, from its earliest settlement, 
has been constant in the support of the ministry. The Congregational 
church, the first one here, was organized in November, 1765, and has 
only had three pastors in a period of ninety-two years. The first minis- 
ter. Rev. Seth Dean, served fifteen years ; the second. Rev. Dr. Payson, 
thirty-seven years; and the third. Rev. A. W. Burnham, has served 
thirty-six years, and is still pastor. 

Rindge has been honored as the residence of some distinguished men. 
Rev. Seth Payson, D. D., a man of piety, talents, and worth, graduated 
at Harvard College, 1777 ; was ordained here December 4, 1782, and 
died February 26, 1820, aged sixty-two. He was for some time a 
member of the New Hampshire senate; one of the trustees of Dartmouth 
College from 1813 to the time of his death; a member of the American 
Board of Foreign Missions from an early date, and president of the New 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF ROCHESTER. 633 

Hampshire Bible Society. He was distinguished for clearness and 
strengtii of intellect, and for resolution, firmness, perseverance, and faith- 
fulness in whatever he undertook to perform. These qualities made his 
services of great value, and they were fully appreciated by his church 
and society. If there was any one place more than another in which 
he was conspicuous and eminently useful, it was as trustee of Dart- 
mouth College, and especially in that famous and important controversy, 
in which the legislature of New Hampshire attempted to subject the 
college to the will of the state government. In this controversy the Rev. 
Dr. Payson and Judge Timothy Farrar were considered the honored 
leaders ; and, by their energy and perseverance, to have been the cause 
of its successful termination. This town is also the place where the still 
more celebrated son of Dr. Payson, Rev. Edward Payson, D. D., late of 
Portland, Me., was born and received his early training. Hon. Marshall 
P. Wilder was born here, September 22, 1798. He was the eldest son of 
Samuel L. Wilder, an honored citizen of Rindge, who removed here in 
early life from Lancaster, Mass., and for several years represented the 
town in the legislature. Mr. Wilder removed to Boston in 1825, and 
since 1827 has been a member of the mercantile firm of Parker, Wilder, 
and Company. Aside from his character as a merchant, he has attained 
eminence in the knowledge and practice of agriculture and horticulture. 
He has held several important and distinguished offices, among which 
may be mentioned, president of the senate of Massachusetts, of the 
Massachusetts Horticultural Society, of the Norfolk County Agricul- 
tural Society, and of the United States Agricultural Society. The late 
Captain .Joel Raymond, an active business man, did something toward 
ornamenting and beautifying the town. 

The surface is very hilly, and the soil good. There is no stream 
passing through the town ; but by the aid of thirteen natural ponds, — 
the principal of which are Manomonack, Emerson, Perley, Grassy, and 
Bullet, — a water power is afforded sufficient for running the mills the 
greater portion of the time. There are three villages — Rindge Centre, 
Blake, and East Rindge; twelve school districts; two church edifices — 
Congregational and Methodist; and one post-office: also, three grist- 
mUls, thirteen saw-mills, thirteen shingle mills, six stave mills, two plan- 
ing mills, and several clapboard mills. Population, 1,274; valuation, 
$511,359. 

Rochester, Strafford county, is in the eastern part of the state, lying 
on the southwest of Salmon Fails river, which divides it from Berwick 
and Lebanon, Me. It was granted by the state of Massachusetts to 
a number of proprietors, and comprised 60,000 acres, which have been 



634 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

reduced to 20,000 by the incorporation of Fanningtoa and Milton. It 
was incorporated May 10, 1722, and the first permanent settlement 
was made December 28, 1728, by Timothy Roberts and his family ; 
being soon followed by Eleazar Ham, Benjamin Frost, Joseph Richards, 
Benjamin Tibbets, and others. In the perilous times which then sur- 
rounded most of the infant settlements, the progress of every thing was 
comparatively slow, and Rochester was no exception to the general rule. 
In the year 1760, after the subjugation of Canada by the British and 
American forces, a new era dawned. Prior to that time much suffering 
was experienced by the inhabitants from the almost constant incursions 
of those dreaded enemies to civihzation, the savages ; but they were 
not despondent ; and, being trained by these constant warlike vigils to 
uncommon endurance, they too frequently surpassed their more war- 
like and savage enemies, and often obtained advantages over them. 
To numbers and stratagem, however, the settlers too often fell victims. 
On the 27th of Jime (old style), 1746, four men — Joseph Heard, 
Joseph Richards, John Wentworth, and Gershom Downs — were killed 
by the hands of the savages, and on the same day Jonathan Richards 
was wounded, taken prisoner, and carried to Canada, from whence he 
soon after returned. But their desolating work did not end here; for 
a boy named Jonathan Door was taken prisoner, probably by the same 
party, on the road called Salmon fall ; Samuel Drown was wounded 
May 23, 1747 ; and. May 1st of the next year, the wife of Jonathan 
Hodgdon was killed by the Indians, preferring, as she said, to be killed, 
rather than taken into captivity. A man by the name of Moses Roberts 
was also killed in this town ; but not, as has been asserted, by the 
savages. Having deserted his post from some cause or other, he was 
running up the hill towards the garrison, near which another sentinel 
was stationed, who, seeing the bushes wave, and supposing that Indians 
were concealed there, fired and shot Roberts. 

A meeting-house was erected here about 1730, which was "forty feet 
by thirty-five, and eighteen feet studs." A minister was not, however, 
settled till May, 1737, for the very good reason that one could not be 
obtained, when " the Rev. Mr. Amos Main" was inducted into the oliicc 
of pastor, which he held till his death, April 5, 1760. Rev. Samuel Hill 
succeeded Mr. Main, November 19, 1760, and resigned April 10, 177r). 
On the 10th of January, 1776, Rev. Joseph Haven was settled, and 
enjoyed the affection of the entire population in a remarkable degree. 
He served the people forty-nine years. Six ministers have since filled 
the pastorate cif this church. Among the distinguished men of Roch- 
ester may be iiieiitioned Captains John Brewster and David Place, 
Colonel John McDutfie, Hon. John Plumer, James Knowles, Dr. 



NEW IIAMPSIIIKE COUxNIY OF llOCKtNUIIAM. G^f) 

.lames How, and John P. Hale, father of the present senator, who liad 
held a lieutenant's commission in the army at the hands of ( ieneral 
Washington, and was an eminent lawyer in Roehesler. Here the 
honorable senator, bearing the same Christian name, was born, March 
;31, 1806. Aftx'r tlie dealli of his father, Mr. Hale entered Exeter 
Academy, and, in 1823, Bowdoin College ; Ex-president Pierce, and 
Nathaniel Hawthorne, distinguished as an author, being among his 
classmates. In 1832, he was chosen representative to the legis-latiire, 
and, in 1843, representative to Congress. In 1846, he became speaker 
of the house of representatives of New Hauijishire, and at the same 
session was chosen United States senator for six years from 1847. 
In 1852, he was the free-soil candidate for the presidency ; and in 1855, 
there being a vacancy in the seat of one of 1 he United States senators 
from New Hampshire, Mr. Hale was returned to this scat, which he 
still occupies with distinguished ability and tidelity. 

The surface of Rochester is uneven, having several large hiljs, the 
principal of which is called Squarnanagonnick, on which are several 
valuable farms. The greater part of the soil is good, and wiih pro|)er 
attention will yield profitable cro])s. The town is watered by Salmon 
Falls, Cochecho, and Isinglass rivers; the two former having valuable 
water privileges, to which is owing, in a great measure, tlie jirogri'ss 
Rochester is making in j)opulation and weallii. The town contains 
two villages — Rochester and Cionic ; three churches. Congregational, 
Methodist and Free-will Baptist ; nineteen school districts; three banks 
— the Rochester Bank (with a capital of $60,000), the Farmers' and 
Mechanics,' and the Norway Plains Savings Bank ; antl two post- 
ofFices — Rochester and Gonic : also, a large woollen factory, known 
by the name of the Norway Plains Company, with a capital of 
$75,000; and one of smaller capacity; one large tannery, with other 
manufactures and mills. Two railroads enliven the appearance of 
Rochester, and afford facilities for intercommunication and transpor- 
tation—the Cochecho Railroad, and the Great Falls and Conway 
Railroad. Population, 3,001) ; valuation, $993,174. 

Rockingham County, in the southeast extremity of the state, has a 
territorial extent of about 750 square miles, ll was ushered into being 
by the same act which created Hillsborough, Cheshire, Strafford, and 
Grafton, passed March 19, 1771, when it embraced Allenstown, Bow, 
Canterbury, Chichester, Concord, Epsom, Loudon, Northfield, Pem- 
broke, and Pittsfield, in addition to its present territory, these tow ns 
having been severed from her to form a part of Merrimack, July 1, 1S23. 
The pruning-knife was used again December 10, 1824, when Pelhaui 



636 UISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

was loppod off and given to her western neighbor, HiUsborougli. This 
process of dismemberment has left her shorn of a valuable portion 
of territory, and occupying a very cramped-up position on the map ; 
still she has all the sea-coast embraced in New Hampshire, so that, 
though circumscribed in the rear, the Atlantic opens before her a bound- 
less extent of territory, giving her advantages which no other county 
in the state possesses. She is the first in point both of population and 
wealth. Her boundaries, as they now stand, were established by act 
passed January 3, 1829, encompassing thirty-eight towns, the principal 
of which are Portsmouth (the only seaport) and Exeter, both which are 
shire towns. 

The svn'facc of the county is uneven, and, in the north part, some- 
what hilly ; but, with the exception of Saddleback, there are no moun- 
tains worthy of mention. The soil has good agricultural capacities, 
and much attention is paid to its cultivation. Water is abundant, and 
the water ])ower excellent. Lamprey, Beaver, and Exeter arc the 
principal rivers, and Great bay and Massabesic lake the largest collec- 
tions of water, though there are numerous small lakes or ponds. The 
Eastern Railroad, and the Portsmouth and Concord Railroad, traverse 
the county. 

Rockingham belongs to the tirst judicial district of the supreme 
judicial court, a law term of which is held annually at Exeter on the 
third Tuesday of June. The trial terms of this court are held at 
Portsmouth on the first Tuesday of October, and at Exeter on the fourth 
Tuesday of February ; and the terms of the court of common pleas at 
the former place on the second Tuesday of November, and at the latter 
on the second Tuesday of April. Population, 49,194 ; valuation, 
$20,788,320. 

RoLLiNSFORD, in the eastern part of Strafford county, adjoins South 
Berwick, Me., from which it is separated by the Newichawannock or 
Salmon Falls river, forty-five miles from Concord. Its territory was 
formerly a part of Somerswortli, from which it was separated and incor- 
porated July 3, 1849. With Somersworth it was originally a part of 
Dover, and was settled at a very early date, being occupied by the set- 
tlement made as early as 1630, which is described in " Maine," and of 
which Ambrose Gibbons was " factor," or agent. At the falls here, cer- 
tain persons, sent over by Mason, " built a saw-mill," and a " stamping- 
mill for come," about 1634 ; but the mills were burnt before 1644. Prior 
to 1700, the falls came into possession of Judge Thomas Tuttle, of 
Dover, who owned large tracts of land adjoining, and resided there, and 
who erected mills. Other facts, and especially those relating to Indian 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF ROXBURY. 637 

dilliculries, arc included in the ticcouiit of Somerswovth. It was called 
Rollinslbrd from a number of enterprising and wealthy farmers by the 
name of Rollins, who were then residents. Manufacturing was first 
commenced about the year 1S21, previous to which there were a num- 
ber of saw-mills in operation. James Runlet, an enterprising citizen of 
Portsmouth, erected the first mill for the manufacture of woollen goods ; 
this was burned in 1834, by which some lives were lost. It was rebuilt; 
but the manufacture to which it \\'as formerly devoted not being profita- 
ble, it is now run for the manufacture of cottons. 

Rollinsford is small in territory, but has an even surface and an excel- 
lent soil, a clay loam. Salmon Falls river washes its eastern boun- 
dary, and affords many valuable mill privileges. The Boston and 
Maine Railroad passes through this town, forming a junction with the 
Conway Railroad. 

The principal village is Salmon Falls, so named from the large quan- 
tities of salmon which were captured before the falls were obstructed 
by dams. Here all the manufacturing interests are centred. It is one 
of the pleasantest villages in the state, and much pains has been taken 
in the orderly arrangement of the buildings, and in the planting of 
ornamental and shade trees. There are three chitrch edifices — Congre- 
gational, Episcopal, and Roman Catholic ; six school districts ; and two 
post-oliices — Rollinsford and Salmon Falls. The Salmon Falls Manu- 
facturing Company have two mills, and use 4,968,936 pounds (about 
10,000 bales) of cotton per year. This company has in operation 
32,000 spindles and 980 looms. It manufactured for the year ending 
May, 1857, 6,263,781 yards of drillings, 4,841,972 yards of sheetings, 
and 726,621, yards of cotton flannel. The Somersworth Machine Com- 
pany are engaged in the manufacture of stoves, gas-pipe, and other 
castings, and are contractors for the erection of coal gas-works. Among 
other buildings is a very neat and creditable school-house. Salmon 
Falls Bank, in this town, has a capital of $50,000. The Rollinsford Sav- 
ings Bank, incorporated in 1850, is a very successful and useful institu- 
tion, and holds in trust, from 550 depositors, 6112,000. Population, 
1,862 ; valuation, $867,122. 

RoxEURY, in the centre of Cheshire county, distant from Concord 
fifty miles, was formed from territory detached from the east part of 
Keene, the north part of Marlborough, and the southwest part of Nel- 
son, and was incorporated December 9, 1812. The inhabitants are for 
the most part engaged in agriculture, which the fertility of the land — 
though lying in considerable swells, giving the town a very uneven ap- 
pearance — enables them to prosecute advantageously. There are 

VOL. I. 54 



638 HISTORY A.\!i DESCltlPTIOX OF NEW EXULAXD. 

lai'ijc ((uan-ies of graiiitr Ihtc, wliicli are worked succeswrally. The 
mirth l)ranch of Asliiulot rivir tlividcs the town from Keeiie. On the 
soutli is Roaring brook, wliich enters into the Ashuelot at the south- 
west corner; this river has on its margin several small tracts of meadow 
land. Roaring Brook |)ond lies on the east side. Most of the buildings 
are erected in liie centre, where is a Congregational meeting-house. 
The business of Roxbury is transacted principally at Keene, which lies 
about five miles from its centre; and Marlborough, distant about four 
miles, is where its iiieeluuiical business is done. There are two saw- 
mills, one grist-mill, and one post-office. Population, 260; valuation, 
|;9:3,744. 

RujAiney, nearly in the centre of Grafton Qounty, forty-seven miles 
from Concord, was twice granted : first to Samuel Olmstead, and next, 
on the ISth of March, 1767, to Daniel Brainerd and others. Among 
the names of the first settlers were Captain Jotham Cummings, Moses 
Smart, Daniel Brainerd, James Heath of Canterbury, and Alexander 
Craig, who arrived in 1765. The late General Stark, in company 
with his brother William, Amos Eastman of Concord, and David Stin- 
son of Londonderry, visited this town on a hunting expedition on tiie 
28th of April, 1752, when they were attacked by a party of Indians 
under the command of Francis Titigaw. The General and Eastman 
were taken prisoners, Stinson was killed and scalped, and William made 
his escape. A pond, mountain, and brook in the vicinity where Stinson 
was slain will long perpetuate the event, and render it familiar as a 
" household word." 

The soil of Rumney is of a fertile character, though there are a few ele- 
vations, particularly Stinson's and Webber's mountains in the east part, 
and a small part of Carr's mountain (which here obtains the name of 
Rattlesnake mountain) on its northwest border. Baker's river — of 
which a large branch flows from Stinson's pond and is called Stinson's 
brook — waters the town. Part of Loon pond is on tiie east line. 
There are two villages — Rumney and West Rumney ; three church 
edifices — one Universalist, one Baptist, and one Union, composed of 
Methodists and Universalists ; eleven school districts ; and two post- 
offices, one at each of the villages : also, a large tannery, fifteen saw- 
mills, and a ladder factory. The Boston, Concord, and Montreal 
Railroad runs through West Rumney. Population, 1,109 ; valuatitiii, 

" 16,787. 



Rye, Rockingham county, is situated on tlu; sea-coast, about six and a 
half miles from Portsmouth, and tifty-one from Concord. It was early 



NEW HAMPSIIIUE — TOWN OF RYE. 6;j9 

settled, and possesses some very interesting features in its history. The 
name is supposed to have been derived from a town in England from 
which several of the early inliabitants emigrated. The town was formed 
from portions of the territory of Portsmouth, C4reenland, Hampton, and 
Newcastle; and though it was inhabited as early as 1635, it was not 
endowed willi corporate privileges until 1719. The settlement nmst 
have been obstructed by some unhajjpy calamity, or the settlers nuist 
have been exceedingly poor; as for about ninety years they had no set- 
tled minister of the gospel among them, and were forced to attend |)ub- 
lie -worship in some of the neighboring towns, particularly at Ports- 
mouth and Newcastle. The names of some of the first settlers were 
Berry, Seavey, Rand, Bracket, Wallis, Jenness, and Locke, the descend- 
ants of some of whom are still residing here. 

Rye experienced some of the desolating elH^cts of Indian warfare. 
In 1694, John Locke, living on the Neck, while reaping grain in liis 
field, was surprised and killed by the natives. In 1696, at Sandy Beach, 
no less than twenty-one were either killed or carried away by tiiem. 
Tlie inhabitants exhibited a ready acquiescence in the demands nj)on 
them for men during the Canada or French war, fourteen of them hav- 
ing died or been killed in the service; and, during the Revolutionary 
war, their abhorrence of the overbearing course which Great Britain 
pursued towards these colonies is fully attested by the fact that no less 
than thirty-eight lost their lives in the struggle, by sea or land. A Con- 
gregational church was organized July 10, 1726, a meeting-house having 
been built the previous year. Rev. Nathaniel Merrill was the first; min- 
ister, having been ordained September 14, 1726, and continued seven 
years. Rev. Samuel Parsons, ordained November 3, 1736, served this 
church nearly half a century. He died January 4, 1789, and his mem- 
ory is still revered by those who remember his many virtues. Rev. 
Huntingdon Porter served this church over half a century. He was 
ordained as colleague wdth Mr. Parsons, Decemb<'r 29, 1784, and dird 
in Lynn, Mass., March 7, 1844, aged nearly eiglity-nine. 

Rye possesses few advantages as regards soil, it lieing naturally ban I, 
and difficult to cultivate. Ho\vever, by a proper use of various kinds of 
manures, and attention on the part of agriculturists, it is made to yield 
corn, potatoes, and hay in large quantities. The town extends on the 
sea-coast about six miles, which is nearly one third of the coast in the 
state. There are three beaches, — Sandy, Jenness, and Wallis, — 
considerable in extent and very pleasant, all which are places largely 
resorted to by persons from all parts of the country, both for health 
and ■ for pleasure. On the right, just at the head of the beach, as 



640 HISTOllY Al-ib DESCRIPTIOX OF NEW ENGLAND. 

it is approached, is the Surf House ; and a few steps further, on the 
left, the Ocean House, both substantially built and richly furnished. 
The latter house commands an uninterrupted view of the ocean, is sur- 
rounded by garden, grove, and lawn, and is well adapted to the comfort 
of visitors. There is a small harbor, with a sufficient depth of water 
for the accommodation of vessels of from seventy to eighty tons, which, 
at a moderate expense, might be made to answer very imj)ortant pur- 
poses both public and private. Fishing by boat is prosecuted with con- 
siderable advantage, more particularly in the fall and winter seasons. 

Near the sea-coast there was formerly a large fresh water pond, cover- 
ing a surface of about three hundred acres, between which and the sea 
a communication was opened by the inhabitants a short time after the 
settlement of the town. The waters were discharged into the sea, leav- 
ing a tract of marsh, which, being watered by the regular flow of the 
tide, yields annually large tjuantities of salt hay. Between Rye and 
(Greenland there is a hill called Breakfast hill, rendered notorious from 
the fact that a party of Indians were surprised, at the time of their 
incursion in 1696, while indulging in their morning meal. In the rocks, 
of which this hill is mainly composed, are small circular holes, supposed 
to have b(vn made use of for different purposes by the Indians. The 
town lias a Congregational, a Baptist, and a Methodist church ; four 
school districts; and one post-office: also, three grocery stores, two saw- 
mills, and four grist-mills. Population, 1,-29-j; valuation, §425,600. 

SADE^r, in the southern part of Rockingham county, is abottt nine 
miles long from north to south, and about two and a half miles in 
width near the centre, touching Windham on the west, and Metiuieii, 
Mass., on the east. It was incorporated May 11, 1750 ; and was pre- 
viously a part of Methuen, being sometimes called the " Methuen and 
Dracut district;" bitt more generally the "North parish in Methuen."' 
The Congregational church was organized January 16, 1740, and is 
some eleven years older than the town, having been established when 
Salem and Methuen were one and the same. Rev. Abner Bailey \\ as 
the first minister. A meeting-house was erected in 1739. When under 
the dominion of the British government, many of the inhabitants 
served in the Canada war, as well as in several other expeditions prose- 
cuted by the crown. More than seventy-five men participated in that 
memorable struggle, which won for us our independence. The records 
of the town also exhibit many evidences that those who were left at 
home were equally ardent, by words and by acts, in the good cause. 
Hon. Silas Betton was a resident of this town. He was a representa- 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF SALISBURY. 641 

five and senator in the state legislature, member of congress, and after- 
wards sheriff of Rockingham county. He died in 1822. 

The surface of Salem is uneven ; but tlie soil is generally of a fertile 
description. Policy pond, partly in this town and partly in Windham, 
is the largest body of water: there are, however, other ponds, but they 
are limited in extent. The principal business is the manufacture of 
shoes and woollens. The former is carried on in Salem, which is the 
jirincipal village, and the mills (four in number) for the prosecution of 
the latter, are situated on Spiggot river, a small stream which rises at 
Island pond in Hampstead, emptying into Merrimack river at Law- 
rence, Mass. There are two villages — Salem and North Salem ; three 
church edifices — two Methodist and one Congregational; ten school 
districts ; and two post-offices — Salem and North Salem : also, four 
shoe factories, five stores, and a number of saw-mills and grist-mills. 
The Manchester and Lawrence Railroad has a depot at a place called 
Messer's Crossing. Population, 1,555 ; valuation, §506,318. 

Salisbury, in the northern part of Merrimack county, is pk'asantly 
situated on the banks of the Peraigewasset and Merrimack rivers, fifteen 
miles north of Concord. It was originally granted by Massachusetts, 
and was known by the name of Bakerstown. It was afterwards 
granted by the Masonian proprietors, October 25, 1749, and was then 
called Stevenstown, from Colonel Ebenezer Stevens, of Kingston, who, 
with fifty-six others, were the grantees, fifty-four of whom belonged to 
Kingston ; and the town was incorporated, by charter from the govern- 
ment of New Hampshire, March 1, 1768, when it took the name of 
Salisbury. The settlement was commenced here as early as 1750 by 
Philip Call and Nathaniel Meloon,' who had recently removed from the 
fort in Boscawen, tlie former into the eastern, and the latter into the 
western, part of Salisbury. Benjamin Pettingill, John and Ebenezer 
Webster,^ Andrew Bohonon, Edward Eastman, and many others, mostly 
from Kingston, also took up their residence here. 

The first inhabitants experienced several assaults from the Indians ; the 
first attack having been made on the 11th of May, 1753, when Nathan- 
iel Meloon was captured, together with his wife and three children, — 
Sarah, Rachel, and Daniel, — who were carried to Canada, where he 
and his wife were sold to the French in Montreal, the three children 
being kept by the Indians. Mr. Meloon returned to his farm in Salis- 
bury, after a captivity of four years and a half, having had a son born 
in Canada. His daughter Sarah died while with the Indians; and 

1 See Boscawen, p. 425. - See Franklin, p. 497. 

54* 



642 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

Rachel, who had been nine years with the savages, was, when she was 
released, so attached to them that she was about to be married to Peter 
Louis, a son of Colonel Louis, one of their chiefs. She acquired their 
habits, and learnt their language. In August, 1753, the Indians visited 
Salisbury, and cajjtured Samuel Scribner and Robert Barber. It was 
in Salisbui-y that Sabatis and Plausawa, mentioned in the article on 
Canterbury, were buried under a bridge, now caUcd Indian bridge. The 
first church was a Congregational, established November 17, 1773, Mr. 
Jonathan Searle, who was ordained the same day, being the first minis- 
ter, in which office he remained till November 8, 1791. The meeting- 
house which existed in Mr. Searle's time was located on a very high 
hill (now known as Searle's hill), some three miles from the eastern 
boundary of the town ; but, despite the distance and the extreme height 
of the hill, the people — men, women, and children — were regular at- 
tendants at the little temple. This church was never thoroughly com- 
pleted, and was sold in 1790. Two new houses of worship were subse- 
quently erected, one of which was occupied by the Congregationalists 
and the other by the Baptists, who established a society, May 25, 1789, 
Rev. Otis Robinson, the first minister, being settled in 1809. The late 
Hon. Ichabod Bartlett, Hon. Thomas H. Pettingill, and Hon. Charles 
B. Haddock, for many years professor in Dartmouth College and 
charge d'affaires to Portugal, were natives of this town. 

Salisbury is quite an agricultural town. The soil of the upland is 
strong, deep, and loamy, and, when well cultivated, is very productive. 
There is a tract of about three hundred acres of fine interval in the 
southeast corner of Salisbury, on which are several fine farms, and on 
Blackwater river, which runs through the western part, there is land that 
is equally fertile. The hilly part affords some fine tracts for tillage. A 
considerable portion of Kearsarge mountain, which rises to a height of 
2,461 feet above the level of the sea, lies within this town. The jjrospect 
from the summit of this mountain is variegated and highly magnificent. 
The east part of Salisbury is watered by the Pemigewasset and Mer- 
rimack rivers, above the junction of which boat navigation terminates. 
Blackwater river furnishes several mill privileges. 

There are three villages, known as South Road, the Centre RoatI, 
and Pemigewasset or East Village, all of which are pleasantly situated, 
and are considerable places of trade. The town contains two church 
edifices — Congregational and Baptist; thirteen school districts; an 
academy, and one post-office : also, three saw-mills, one grist-mill, two 
tanneries, one manufacturing establishment, one blacksmith's shop with 
trip-hammers, the usual variety of mechanic shops, and several stores. 
Population, 1.228 ; valuation, 8439,464. 



NEW HAMPSUIRE TOWN OP SANBORNTON. 643 

Sasborxtox, ill the western p;irt of Belknap county, is seventeen 
miles from Concord by the Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroiid. 
which also connects it with Meredith Bridge. It was granted in 174>i 
l)V the Masonian proprietors to twelve persons by the name of 8anl)orn. 
and forty-eight others, and its settlement was commenced in 1704— O 
l)y John Sanborn, Andrew Rowen, David Dustin, Thomas Danford, 
Solomon Copp, Daniel Fifield, and others. At the time of the arrival 
of these settlers, the Indians had entirely deserted tlie town, althongli 
it had once been the abode of a powerful tribe, or, at least, a place 
where they rt^sorted for defence. At the head of Little bay, on the 
WinnepesauUee, the remains of an ancient fortification are still visible. 
It consisted of six walls, — one extending along the river and across a 
jjoint of land into the bay, and the others at right angles, connected by 
a circular wall in the rear. Numerous Indian relics have been foiuid 
in the fort, as also on an island in the bay. These walls were some 
four feet high when the first settlers took up their residence here, and 
within the enclosure large oaks were growing. 

Sanbornton was incorporated in 1770. At this time wild beasts were 
plenty, and somewhat troublesome to the settlers, and deer and other 
game were numerous. The peojile of this town were active partici- 
pants in the struggle of the Revolution. More than half of the men 
were out either as militia-men or in the continental army; and all were 
ready to sacrifice every thing in life, and even that, at the shrin<> of 
freedom. The Congregational church was organized as early as 1771, 
when tluM-e were about fifty families here, and when there was no 
meeting-house or school-house in which to hold meetings. The tlrst 
minister, Rev. James Woodman, ordained Nov<Mnber 13th, same year, in 
a private house, continued with the church thirty-five years. His 
successor. Rev. Abraham Bodwell, ordained November 13, 180(3, was 
]3astor for about forty-six years, having been dismissed, on account of 
feeble health, June 24, 1852, retaining the full confidence of his congre- 
gation, by whom a part of his annual support is still continued. Rev. 
John Crockett was settled over the first Baptist society in 1793. 

The surface of Sanbornton is pleasantly diversified with large swells 
and valleys. Salmon Brook mountain, in the north part, is the only 
eminence of note. There are no rivers or ponds of magnitude, though 
the town is almost surrounded by water, the bays and rivers encircling 
it being nearly thirty miles in extent, while Great bay, between San- 
bornton and Meredith, is three miles in width. Salmon brook is the 
principal stream, and affords several mill seats, as also does the Winne- 
pesaukee river, over which there are eight bridges. The only natural 
curiosity in this town is a gulf extending nearly a mile through hard, 



G44 lUSTOltY AXD DEf^CRIPTIOX OF NEW KNGLAXD. 

rocky ground, thirty-eight feet in ilepth, with walls from eiglity to one 
hundred feet asunder, the sides so nearly con-espondiiig as to favor the 
opinion tliat they were once united. In the declivity of a hill is a 
cavern, whicli may be entered horizontally the distance of twenty feet. 

Sanbornton has two villages, — one known as Sanbornton Sciiuuf, 
which was the first point on which settlements were commenced, — 
and the other as Sanbornton Bridge. It has one bank (capital ^50,0{)0) : 
I'iglit meeting-houses — two Congregational, three Baptist, one Free- 
will Baptist, and two JNIethodist; twenty-eight common schools; an 
academv, incorporated in 1820 ; and four post-offices — Sanboriuon. 
North Sanbornton, Sanbornton Bridge, and East Sanbornton: n\-o. 
fifteen saw-mills, fourteen grist-mills, six carding-machines, and iiiaiiu- 
factories of satinets, tweeds, and cottons, of piano-fortes and boxes. 
Population, 2,695 ; valuation, $867,504. 

SA^■DO■^vx, centrally situated in Rockingham county, has Chester ami 
Derry on the west side, and is thirty-one miles from Concord. It 
was originally a part of Kingston, and was settled, about the year 17o(), 
by Moses Tucker, Israel and James Huse, and others. It was incorpo- 
rated April 6, 1756. A Congregational church was formed in 1759, 
over which Rev. Josiah Cotton, a descendant of the celebrated John 
Cotton of Boston, was ordained pastor, November 2Sth, same year, and 
continued till his death, May 27, 1780. Rev. John Webber, a brother 
of the late President Webber, was minister from 1795 to 1800, since 
which time the church has become extinct, the greater part of the popu- 
lation being in favor of Methodism. The surface of Sandown is some- 
what uneven, but the soil is suitable for raising grain and grass of every 
variety. The principal body of water is Phillips pond, lying in a south- 
erly direction, and covering about 425 acres. There are several ponds 
smaller than this, among which is Angle pond, in the east part, having 
an area of about 125 acres. From Phillips pond proceeds Squamscott 
river, in nearly a level course for one and a half miles, when it unites 
with another stream, which, on occasions of sudden freshets, causes the 
current to set back with considerable force towards the pond. Sandown 
contains two church edifices — Methodist and Union; four school dis- 
tricts, and one post-office: also, five saw-mills and two grist-mills. 
The trade is principally in wood and lumber. Population, 566 ; valua- 
tion, $243,441. 

Saxdwicii, in the western part of Carroll county, about fifty miles 
ft-om Concord, was granted by Governor Benning Wentworth, October 
25, 1763, to Nicholas Gilman, J. T. (lilman, and others of Exeter, and 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF SEAliUOOK. 615 

comprised six miles square. The territory, liowever, was incicascd in 
September, 1764, on the representation of the grantees that tlie nurtli 
and west sides of the town were so mountainous and barnni as to be 
uninhabitable. Now it is ten miles square. Sandwich was settleil, 
about the year 1768, by Daniel Beede, John Prescott, David Bean, .Tere- 
miah Page, Richard Sinclair, and others. A Baptist society was organ- 
ized about 1780, but is now extinct. The Friends, however, were tiie 
earliest who assembled for worship. The Free-will Baptists were early 
organized here, and the Methodists next. The Congregationalists 
formed a society, December 8, 1824. 

Quite a number of mountains lie in this town. The Sandwich 
range, extending into Albany, is very lofty ; and Squam mountain, 
running from Holderness through a corner of Campton into this place, 
is an eminence of considerable magnitude. Sandwich is watered by 
Bearcamp river, the west branch of which passes through Bearcamp 
pond. Red Hill river, which falls into Winnepesaukce lake, has its 
origin in a pond in this town. A small portion of Squam lake lies in 
the southwest corner of Sandwich, which, taken in connection with the 
bold promontories which surround it, presents a picturesque scene. 
The excellent mountain pastures and pine meadows with which this 
town abounds, render it peculiarly adapted to the raising of cattle. It 
is said to send more stock to market than any other town in the state. 
Large quantities of maple sugar are made annually, — no less than 
fifty tons being manufactured during the spring of 18-'')7. Dried apples 
are also put up in considerable quantities : about ti^GjOOO worth were 
exported in the fall of 1855. Sandwich has two villages — Sandwich 
and Centre Sandwich; seven churches — one Congregational, two 
Baptist, two Methodist, and two Friends; twenty school districts ; one 
bank (capital $50,000); and three post-offices — Sandwich, Centre 
Sandwich, and North Sandwich : also, six stores, one carding mill, and 
one satinet factory. The total amount invested in trade and manufac- 
tures is $50,000. Po])ulation, 2,577 ; valuation, $541,150. 

Seabrook, in the southeastern extremity of the state and of Rock- 
ingham county, lies on the Atlantic ocean, and is forty-five miles from 
Concord. The southern section was originally a part of the territory 
of Massachusetts. The remaining portion was set off from Hampton 
Falls, having been granted to Jonatiian Weare and others, June ■^. 
1768. It was settled in 1638, by Christopher Hussey, Joseph Dow, and 
Thomas Philbrick. The first inhabitants emigrated from Massachu- 
setts, and experienced some of the desolating warfare of the savages. 
(-)n one occasion a Mr. Dow, who lived near a marsh overgrown witi; 



646 HISTORY AND DESiT.TPTIiiX OF NEW ENdLAND. 

trees and shrubs, thought lie licard Luliuus prowling round his Imt dur- 
ing the night, and went into the woods to watch. He had not laken 
his position long before he saw them coming forth from their hiding- 
place, when he ran into the street, and raised an alarm. No less than 
twenty-four were seen issuing from their concealment, crawling like 
beasts of prey. Mrs. Hussey, a prominent member of the Friends, who 
was passing by the swamp, was taken by them, and suffered death under 
the blows of the tomahawk. She was much lamented by the soeieTv. 
Thomas Lancaster was the next victim ; and although his cries were 
heard by some men who were engaged in the erection of a garrison 
near by, the superior force of the Indians prevented their lending him 
any assistance. Jonathan Green was murdered in a most brutal man- 
ner, his brains having been beaten out by the Indians wdth the butts 
of their guns, and his body terribly mangled. A child, left by its 
mother in charge of two girls (who fled on the approach of the Indians), 
was taken by the savages, who dashed its head against a plough stand- 
ing near, killing it instantly. ]Vieholas Bond was killed and scalped 
in his own house. 

The father and grandfather of Hon. Meshech Weare both resided in 
Seabrook. The grandfather, Nathaniel Weare, was an agent for the 
colony, and spent considerable time in England in preferring the com- 
j)laints of the colonists against that tyrannical tool of royalty, Edward 
Cranfield. The father, also named Nathaniel, took a prominent part in 
the atl'airs of the colony. Edward Gove, the leader of the outbreak 
known as " Gove's rebellion," was also a resident of Seabrook. The 
order for his release from the tower of London is still preserved. The 
Friends were the earliest religious denomination here. Then came the 
Presbyterians, wdio established a church, November, 1764, which has 
now become extinct. A Congregational church was organized in 1799, 
which has also become extinct. Another church of this order was or- 
ganized July 12, 1836, being composed of members from this town and 
from Hampton Falls, which is still flourishing. Rev. S. T. Abbott was 
its pastor from its formation till his death in 1855. 

The face of the country in Seabrook is generally level ; and the soil, 
though light, has good agricultural capacity. A heavy growth of wood 
is still standing, and there are several extensive tracts of salt marsh. 
Cam's brook runs through the southeast part, and has a water power of 
moderate capacity. Seabrook river, wdiich forms a junction with Hamp- 
ton river, is formed from several small streams, which have their origin 
in this and adjacent towns. Good views of the country surrounding 
Seabrook, and the Atlantic oc-ean, are obtainable from Titcomb's hill 
and Grape hill, the former lying partly in South Hampton, and the lat- 



NEW HAMPSHIRE — TOWN OF SHARON, ETC. 647 

tcr partly in Massachusetts. Agriculture is pursued by some of the 
inhabitants; boat building and seafaring by others. The shoe business 
is also largely prosecuted. Tiiere are three chureh cdifu-es- — one 
Congregational, one Methodist, and one Friends. Di'arborn Academy, 
endowed by a bequest of ^15,t)00 from the late Edward Dearborn, 
M. D., — eminent in his profession and a citizen of note, — was founded 
in 1851. An edifice of brick, fifty-four feet l)y forty, has been erected 
on a pleasant site, which eonunands a fine view of the surrounding 
scenery. There are five school districts, and one ])ost-olfice : also, two 
grist-mills, two saw-mills, and other mechanical establishments. The 
Eastern Railroad connects Seabrook with many of the most po))ulous 
towns. Population, 1,296 ; valuation, $353,221. 

Sharon, in the west part of Hillsborough county, is forty-eight 
miles from Concord. It was incorporated June 24, 1791. This is a 
very small township, Ijoth in extent of territory and in population. The 
surface is uneven and, in some parts, mountainous. Boundary moun- 
tain, rising some two hundred feet above the surrounding country, 
divides the town from Temple. Sharon is watered by small branches 
of the Contoocook river, which rise near the southeast corner. The 
j)eople arc for the most part engaged in farming operations. There is no 
regularly organized religious society, no church edifice, nor any village, 
in the town. There are three school districts, and three saw-mills. The 
population has decreased. In 1823, there were four hundred persons 
in the Town, now there are but 229. Valuation, §116,136. 

Sheleurne, Coos county, adjoins Gilead, Me., on the cast, and has the 
White Mountains on the south. It was chartered as early as 1668, and 
re-chartered in the year 1771, by George III, to Mark H. Wentworth 
and six others, and included Gorham. Among the first settlers who 
arrived here between the years 1770 and 1772 were Hope Austin, Ben- 
jamin and Daniel Ingalls, Thomas G. Wheeler, Nathaniel Porter, and 
Peter Poor, the last of whom was afterwards killed by the Indians. 
The history of Shelburue contains numerous incidents which strikingly 
illustrate the scenes of toil and hardship which the first settlers endured 
not only on their journey to the settlement, but when they had become 
inhabitants of it. Females bore up under weights of affliction which 
would appall the hearts of ciuite a number of our present so-called "lords 
of creation," while the mere recital of some of them would throw jnany 
of our modern belles into hysterics. Encarnping at night in dense 
storms, fording rivers with heavy burdens on their backs, travelling 
through snow three or four feet deep, and suffering from hunger, — these 



648 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

arc but a tithe of what the early settlers had to endure, in which the 
females participated almost as much as the males. 

On Ihe 3d of August, 17S1, a party of six Indians, who had visited 
Bethel and Gilead, Me., in the former of which they captured three 
men, and in the latter killed one, visited this place on their way to Can- 
ada with tlieir prisoners. They first went to the house of Hope Austin, 
but finding nothing, they proceeded to the house of Captain Rindge, 
where they killed and scalped Peter Poor, and took Plato, a colored 
man, prisoner. The inhabitants fled in a body — after spending the 
night on '■ Hark Hill," in full hearing of the whoopings and shoutings 
of the Indians — to Fryeburg, a distance of fifty-nine miles, where they 
remained till tlic danger was passed. 

Shelburne was incorporated December 13, 1820. The soil on both 
sides of the Androscoggin river, which waters the town, is excellent ; 
but that a short distance from the river is mountainous, and unfit for cul- 
tivation. Mount Moriah, an elevated peak of the White INIountains, is 
situated in the south part, and Moses' Rock, a huge mass of granite, 
sixty feet high, ninety long, very smooth, and rising at an angle of fifty 
degrees, is also located here. The Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad 
passes through the southern part of the town. Shelburne contains one 
village ; one church edifice, occupied by the Congregationalists and 
Free-will Baptists ; four school districts ; and one post-office. Popula- 
tion, 480 ; valuation, 8152,2(37. 

SoMERSWOr.Til, in the eastern part of Strafford county, forty-five miles 
from Concord, was formerly a part of Dover. It was made a jiarish, 
December 19, 1729; and erected into a town, April 22, 1754. It had 
been settled, however, at a much earlier period, probably about 1630, 
in the part adjoining the Salmon Falls in the river Newichawannock, 
in connection with the settlements on the Maine side. It was also 
settled as a farming town by inhabitants of the other parts of Dover, 
not far from 1650, to whom the town made grants of land. In this 
way the lower part of old Somersworth was occupied jirior to 1700. 
Among its first settlers was Elder William Wentworth, an early n>si- 
dent of Exeter, but afterwards of Dover. He was a man of superior abil- 
ities and character, and the ancestor of the governors of that name, as well 
as of the entire WentAVorth family in this country. In the memorable 
attack n]ion Cochecho, in 1689, Elder Wentworth, who was in Heard's 
garrison, being awakened by the barking of a dog just as the Indians 
were entering, although advanced in years, pushed them out, shut the 
gate, and, falling on his back, held it until the inmates were alarmed 
and secured it. Two balls were fired through it, but both missed him. 



NEW UAMPSIIIRE TOWN OF SOMERSWOKTII. filif 

Other settlers of Soniersworth wove Roberts, John Hall (ijraiRlsou of 
Deacon John Hall of Dover), Ilollins, and Clements, deseendants of ail 
of whom are now fonnd in Soniersworth. 

Soniersworth, from its sparse popnlation, sntTered comparatively little 
in the Indian wars. Varions ])ersons, however, were killed. On the 
7tli of Oi-loher, i(i7;"), a pfirty of Indians killed CSeorge ami i\[atin-iii 
Ricker, takinij; away their gnus and some of their elothiiig. In 17:21. 
Kbenczer Downs, a Quaker, was taken prisoner by the Indians al 
Indigo hill, and carried to Canada. Refusing to dance for them, as the 
other prisoners did, he was snhjecied to many insults. John Hanson 
of Dover redeemed j\Ir. Downs in 17"2'). Jabez Garland was returning 
from church in the summer of 171(1, and, when about three quarters of a 
niik' from ^'arnev's hill, was kilk'd by the savages. In 1711, C4erslioni 
Downs was killed by the Indians, in the swamp Ix-tween Varney"s an<l 
()tis"s hills. The first settlemeiifs by Dover people were made aroimd 
the old bnrying-grouncl, at the miioii of the Cireat Falls Brancli willi 
thc^ Boston and .Alaine Railroad, and near Cochecho river. Here a 
church was erected in 1729; but, u)) ti) 1713, the inhabitants had been 
obliged to tra^■cl IVoni six to nine miles to meeting; and, between 171o 
and 172M, from tw(.) to tive. Rev. James Pike, the first minister, was 
ordained October 28, 1780, and died here March 19, 1792, "a faidiful 
servant of Christ." When business began to centre at (ireat Falls, 
the old meeting-house (the third) was abandtJiied, ami it was bitrned a 
few years ago. 

The unpopttlar proceedings of the mother country towards the American 
colonies which resulted in the Revolution, and in the dissolution of diosi^ 
ties which bound ilw. offspring to the parent, wen^ not looked upon \\ ith 
iiidiirerence l)y the people of Soniersworth. The records from 1774 to 
1779 teem with bright and glorious evidences of the sentinieihs which 
filled the hearts oi every one. Some of the resolutions breathe as pure a 
spirit of freedom as ever filled tlu' mind of man. I5nt it was not in 
words alone that they manifested their fervid devotion to the cause. 
Their deeds, which \\ill perpetuate the memory of the actors to the 
latest day, manifesteil their appreciation of the struggle. As a specimen 
of the ardent love of freedom which imbtted the men of those days, the 
following extract is made from a series of resolittions, passed July 1, 
1774 : " 2d. That every act of parliament, imposing a duty to be paid 
by the colonists without their consent, contains as many shackles as 
there are freeliorn subjects in America; and tliat he who, tamely and 
withottt resistance, sutlers the imposition, is a dastard, unworthy the 
name of Englishman." That the people had not lost their respect for 

^•oL. I. 55 



RoO 



HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 



the mother country, and were loyal subjects, the following, from the 
same resolutions, is abundant evidence: "5th. That we are dutiful sub- 
jects of his most sacred majesty, King George the Third, to whose crown 
and person we bear the truest faith and allegiance; and that we will 
pay all due obedience to men in authority, while we are resohuely de- 
termined, like those who value freedom, to be on our guard, and, wiih 
unremitted ardor, use our best endeavors to sup[)ort liberty, th<' only 
bulwark against lawless power, which to its boundless ambition would 
sacrifice the best of men." 

In 1848, the town was divided by act of the legislature, and Rollins- 
ford was taken oil" from the southerly part. Nicholas Pike, John Wcnt- 
worth, C"ol'>n(l Paul Wentworth, Dr. Moses Carr, lion. Thomas AVal- 
lingfovd, Hon. John Wentworth, and Hon. Ichabod Rollins were <lis- 
tinguished individuals who had their residence in Bomersworth. 

Somersworth is situated on Newichawannock river. The surface is 
generally level, and the soil well adapted for agriculture. Hmuphrey 
pond, on the line of Dover, two hundred rods long and 120 wide, and 
Cole's pond, 150 rods long and seventy-five wide, are the only collections 
of water. Red and yellow ochre and iron ore have been found here. 

There is but one village in Somersworth, called Great Falls, from a 
fall of that name in the river opposite, which descends one hundred feet, 
not in an unbroken descent, but having three stairs or precipices. 




Here most of the inhabitants reside, and here all the manufacturing 
interests are centred. Where this nourishing village stands there were, 
in 1823, only one dwelling-house, a grist-mill, and a saw-miU. The 



NEW HAMPSItlRE — TOWN OF SOUTH HAMPTON. (5.')1 

(Treat Falls and Conway Railroad, a branch of the Boston anil JNIaine 
Railroad, and the Great Falls and South Berwick Branch Railroad, 
which connects with the Eastern Railroad, all concentrate here. There 
are six church edifices — one Congregational, one Baptist, one Free- 
will Baptist, and two Methodist; and one Roman Catholic, in course of 
construction ; fourteen public schools, acknowledged to be among the 
best in the state, consisting of primary, grammar, and high schools ; the 
Manufacturers' and Village library, containing four thousand volumes; 
two banks — the Great Falls and the Somersworth, with a combined 
ca])ital of $250,000 ; the Somersworth Savings Institution ; and one 
post-office. The glory and pride of Somersworth are its manufactures. 
In 182o, the Great Falls Manufacturing Company commenced opera- 
tions, under the direction of Isaac Wendell, manufacturing cotton and 
woollen goods only ; and, at one time, there was in operation the largest 
broadcloth and carpet mill in the United States. The woollen business 
was, however, discontinued in 1834. This company has a capital stock 
of 11,500,000; seven mills, with 83,484 spindles and 2,119 looms ; an- 
imally consumes 5,220,884 pounds of cotton, and manufactures eighteen 
and a half million yards of cotton drills, print cloths, bleached and 
brown sheetings and shirtings; and employs 1,172 females and 492 
males. The monthly pay roll is ■'i:!36,000. The Somersworth Machine 
Company, with a capital of $40,000, is engaged in the manufacture of 
gas and water pipe, as well as all kinds of heavy and light castings, 
including stoves, of which upwards of four thousand are made per year. 
The Great Falls Gas-Light Company has a capital stock of f52,500. 
There is a steam mill for the manufacture of all kinds of carpenter 
work, such as doors, blinds, and sashes ; one for the manufacture of 
coihns, and boxes for packing cloths and shoes ; and one for the 
manufacture of wheels, carriages, and coffins, and for planing. There 
is one marble manufactory, and one machine-shop, where every variety 
of factory and other machinery is made. The trade of Somersworth is 
of the visual variety found in a manufacturing community, and is con- 
fined principally to the village of Great Falls. Here are two jewelry and 
watch-making establishments, and several dry goods establishments, 
which generally do an extensive business. Population, 4,943, in 1850 ; 
now estimated at 6,500 ; valuation, -§1,974,992. 

South Hampton, Rockingham county, on the boundary line between 
New Hampshire and Massachusetts, is eighteen miles from Portsmouth 
and fifty from Concord. It was incorporated May 25, 1742, from 
Hampton. A piece of land was annexed to South Hampton from East 
Kingston, December 6, 1824. The first church, Congregational, was or- 



Q^i2 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

ganized Ftjbrnary 22, 1743, but became extinct Marcli 20, 1827, when 
the last member died. Rev. William Parsons served from 1743 to 17G2 ; 
and Rev. Nathaniel Noyes from 17G3 to ISOl. The sm-face of South 
Hampton, though possessing a few swells, is comparatively even. The 
soil is of an average quality, and on its prodvictions the inhabitants 
mainly depend for a livelihood. Powow river passes through the town, 
aflbrding valuable mill seats. There is a Baptist meeting-house, and a 
town-hall, where the Universalists occasionally have services. The town 
is divided into four school districts ; and has a public high school, en- 
dowed by lion. Benjamin Barnard, in honor of whom it is named ; two 
stores, and one jjost-office. Population, 472 ; valuation, $263,200. 

South Newmarket, in the northeast part of Rockingham county, is 
distant from Concord thirty-six miles. It is a small township, covering 
about six thousand acres, an offshoot from Newmarket, from which it 
was taken and incorporated June 27, 1849. Part of Exeter was an- 
nexed to South Newmarket, January 7, 18^3. The Congregational 
church in this town originally belonged to Newmarket; but when it 
was organized it is impossible to ascertain, on account of the loss of 
the records. Rev. .lohn Moody served the church from November 2o, 
1730, to Octolx'r lo, 1778 ; and Rev. Nathaniel Ewers from 1773 to 
1797 ; tlie former forty-eight years, and the latter twenty-four. The 
soil is similar to tiiut of the parent town, and the people are mostly 
engaged in farjuing pursuits. Water is su])plied by the Squamscott 
and the Piscassick rivers, which furnish several mill privileges. Tlie 
Portsmouth and Concord and the Boston and Maine Railroads form a 
junction in this town. South Newmarket contains one village, called 
by the same name as the town ; two churches — Congregational and 
Methodist ; two school districts, and three schools ; and one post-office. 
The Swamscot Machine Company manufactures gas-pipe, steam-pipe, 
engines, and all kinds of tools for machinists ; and the Newmarket 
Iron Foundery is engaged in the manufacture of stoves and all kinds 
of castings. Population, 516 ; valuation, $278,144. 

Sprixofield, in the northeast corner of Sullivan county, tiiirty-five 
miles from Concord, was granted to John Fisher, Daniel Warner, and 
fifty-eight others, January 3, 1769, and was called Protectworth, which 
name was changed to the one it now bears, on its incorporation, Jan- 
uary 24, 1794. Three years after the grant (1772), Israel Clifford, Israel 
Cliilord, Jr., Nathaniel Clark, Samuel Stevens, and others, turned their 
steps towards this town, and commenced its settlement. A Congrega- 
tional church was organized about 1820, but was not very large. Heath's 
Gore was annexed to this town, June 20, 1817. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF STARK. 653 

Springfield lias a broken surfaee, and the soil is stony ; biit agricultiirp 
can be, and is, prosecuted witii considerable success. Attention is given 
to the raising of horses, eartl(>, and sheep for the market. Butter, 
potatoes, wool, luuiix'r, and bark iire articles of ex]5ort. A branch of 
Sugar river has its source here, and empties into the Connecticut; 
also a branch of the Blackwater river, which empties into the Merri- 
mack. Station, C'illey, Star, Stony, and Morgan's are the names of 
the ponds, the fust two being of considerable size. West Spring- 
field is the only village. There are two church edifices, free to all 
denominations; twelve school districts, and two post-offices — Spring- 
tield and West Springfield : also, one grist-mill, three shingle mills, 
three clajiboard mills, five saw-mills, and two stores. Population, 1,270 ; 
valuation, $-^7:3,822. 

Stark, Cocis county, lies on the Upper Ammonoosuc river, 135 miles 
from Concord, and was incorporated December 28, 1832. It was first 
called Piercy. As nearly as can be ascertained, the first settler was 
.John Cole, who came into town about 1785. Two years after, James 
Massnere arrived ; and, between 1789 and 1790, Edward Rowell, Caleb, 
Isaac, and Benjamin Smith, and Elisha Blake became settlers. Mr. 
Rowell is still alive, having attained the age of eighty-eight years in 
May, 1857. The first inhabitants endured hardships which are almost 
beyond belief. For example, Elisha Blake drew on a hand sled from 
Barrington to Stark, a distance of over one hundred miles, a heavy 
forty-gallon kettle, and an equal weight in other articles; and James 
Massnere has frequently carried on his back, the same distance, forty 
pcnmds weight. A Congregational church of seven members was or- 
ganized in islO. There is a small society of Methodists. 

Stark is made up of much broken and mountainous land; but upon 
the river there are many good farms, the soil being rich, and free from 
stone. The north and south branches of the Ammonoosuc form a 
junction in the northeast part. Nash's stream falls into this river in the 
north part of the town. Near the village there is a narrow passage 
way between the mountains, through which run the river, the Atlantic 
and St. Lawrence Railroad, and a stage road. On the south side of 
the Ammonoosuc is the Mill mountain, rising very abruptly to the 
height of ten or twelve hundred feet. On the north side of tlie 
river is a ledge, called the "Devil's Slide," which faces the river, rising 
perpendicularly to the height of seven hundred feet. A good wagon 
road might easily be made on its northern side to the summit. There 
is one small village, called Waterloo, where is the station of the 
Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad. A church edifice has been 

55* 



6")4 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

froctecl, which is occnpied by the several religious denominations. 
There are seven school districts, and one post-ollice. The tra(l<' is 
principally in lumber, for the manufactitre of which there are five saw- 
mills, four sliiiigle machines, and three clapboard machines. Popu- 
lation in lS-")(), 418, which lias inc-reased to nearly 600 ; valutiTioii, 
$i:J4,792. 

Stewaktstowx, Cous couniv. lies on the east side of the Conneciicnt 
river, loO miles from Concord. It was granted by Governor .loiui 
Wentworth to Sir George Cociiburn, Sir George Colebronli, John 
Stewart, and John Nelson, three of whom had their residence in 
England. The lands were surveyed by them prior to the Revo- 
lution, and a few lots granted to settlers, on which improvements 
were made; but, when warliiie operations were commenced, the settle- 
ments were abandoned until the restoration of peace. Colonel David 
Webster, at tiiat time sheritf of Grafton, then made grants to settlers. 
and the business of improvement was again commenced. Stewarts- 
town was incorporated by New Hampshire in December, 1799. Dm-- 
ing the war of 1812, a fort was erected in this town, by a company of 
militia, for the purposes of defence, which was occupied by them rill 
August, 1814, when it was razed. The site of this fort is noted as tin- 
spot where the American and British surveyors and astronomers met 
to ascertain the forty-fifth degree of north latitude, determined upon by 
the two governments, under the treaty of Ghent, as the dividing line 
between their several territories. 

Stewartstown, though having an uneven surface, has no prominent 
elevations. The soil on the interval is fertile, on the swells sterile. A 
large stream, called Bishop's brook, rises here, falling into the Connecti- 
cut at the northwest corner. Dead Water and iMohawk rivers originate 
here, and Hall's stream forms a junction with the Connecticut. The 
waters of Little and Great Diamond ponds, lying in the east piirt 
of Stewartstown and foriuing the Diamond river, are well stocked 
with salmon-troitt. West Stewartstown is a small business ])laee. 
Imving a post-oiTice. The people are for the most part engaged in 
agricultural employments: though a small woollen factory, a grist-mill. 
four saw-mills, and an iron foundery, would seem to draw some of 
their attention into other channels. The Congregationalists worship 
in one church, and the Free-will Baptists and Christians in another. 
The town is divided into seven school districts ; and, besides the post- 
office already mentioned, there is one called Stewartstown. Popiilaridn. 
747 ; valuation, 8184,815. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF STODDARD, ETC. 60f5 

Stoddard, in the northeastern eorner of Cheshire count)-, forty-two 
miles fnmi C'oncoril, was originally called Limerick, which name was 
clianged when it was incorporated, November 4, 1774, to the one it 
now bears, in honor of Colonel Samson Stoddard, to whdni witii 
others it was granted. In June, 1769, John Taggard, Reuben Walton, 
Alexander Scott, James Mitchel, Richard Richardson, Amos Butterlield, 
Joseph Dodge, and Oliver Parker commenced the first settlement. 
The hardsiiips and privations of the family of John Taggard, the first 
one in town, were very great. Peterborough, a distance of twenty 
miles, was the nearest place where they could procure grain, and tiiis 
distance had to be traversed by Mr. Tai<gard with the grain on his 
i)ack, through a path rendered plain only by marks on the trees. On 
one occasion they had to subsist on the flesh of the moose for seven 
days. Most of the early settlers came from Peterborough, and from 
Leominster, Chelmsford, Westfonl, and other towns in Massachusetts. 
The Congregationalists formetl a church, Si-ptember 4, 1787. Rev. 
Isaac Robinson, D. D., was pastor froiu January ■'), 1S03, till liis deatii, 
ill .luly, lSo4, a period of fifty-two years. 

Stoddard lies on the height of land between the Connecticut and 
Merrimack rivers, and some of the dwellings are so situated, that, when 
tlie rain descends on the roofs, a portion will fall into the Merrimack 
and a portion into the Connecticut. The surface is mountainous and 
rocky ; but the soil is deep, bottotned on clay, and is better adapted 
to grazing than tillage. Butter, cheese, beef, and pork are articles 
of export. Near the centre of the town rises the south branch of 
Ashnelot river. There are fourteen ponds, the principal of which are 
Long and Island, the latter covering about three hundred acres, and 
studded with islands. Branch river has many valuable mill privileges. 
There are three villages — South Stoddard, Mill, and Centre; two 
church edifices — Congregational and Universalist ; nine school districts, 
and two post-offices — Stoddard and South Stoddard : also, two grist- 
mills, three saw-mills, three shingle mills, three clapboard mills, one pail 
factory, two rake factories, and two glass factories, each of which has 
two pot furnaces employed during six months of the year, manufac- 
turing about 810,000 worth of window-glass and glass ware of various 
kinds. Population, 1,105; valuation, $394,964. 

Strafford, in the western part of Strafford county, adjoining Bar- 
rington, is twenty-five miles from Concord, and was incorporated Jtme 
17, 1820. It formerly comprised the westerly part of Barrington. The 
land is well adapted to agricultural purposes, in which the people are 
principally engaged. The range of mountains known as the Blue hills 



6-")6 HISTORY AND liKSCKirTIOX OF XEW ENGLAND. 

crosses <ho northwest part of tlie town. Bow ]ioii(l, eoverinc; nn nreri 
of 1,625 acres, lii's in the west ))art, and forms one of Ihc principal 
branches of Isinglass river. There are two other ponds, known by the 
names of Trout and Wild Goose. Stock raising receives a large share 
of attention ; and many of the cattle and horses are of a sn])erior 
description. The lumber business is carried on to some extent, there 
being about ,^20,000 invested in it. 

StrafTord contains four villages — Bow Lake, Strafford Centre, Straf- 
ford Corner, and North Strafl'ord ; twenty school districts; live 
clmrches — two Free-will Baptist, one Methodist, one Christian, and 
one Baptist; one Baptist seminary; and five post-offices — Strati'ord, 
Strafl'ord Centre, Strafford Corner, North Strafford, and Blue llili. 
Capital invested in trade, about §00,000. Po|)ulation, 1,920; valuation, 
$541,932. 

Strafford Coi'xtv, in the east-soritheast part of the state, contains 
about 350 square miles. It was established by act of the colonial 
legislature passed March 19, 1771, being then known as the third 
county, and containing an extent of territory more than treble its 
present size. Conway was annexed to it from Grafton county, No- 
vember 10, 1778. It was curtailed to its present limits by the act 
of December 23, 1840, which erected Belknap and Carroll, giving to 
the former eight towns, and to the latter fourteen; in sliort, two 
other counties were formed bodily from its territory, leaving it 
smaller than any county in the state. It is now composed of thir- 
teen towns, — Barrington, Dover, Durham, Farmington, Lee, Madbury, 
Middletown, Milton, New Durham, Rochester, Rollinsford, Somers- 
worth, and Strafford. It is separated from Maine by the Piscat- 
aqua and Newichawannock rivers. The surface is rough and uneven, 
and the land generally stubborn; though proper attention, and the 
application of modern improvements in agriculture, render it equal in 
productive capacity to most of that in other counties. This county 
possesses a valuable water ]Kiwer, which is well improved at every 
available point. The Piscataqua, the Newichawannock, the Cochecho, 
and the Lamprey are the principal rivers, — the Piscataqtta being navi- 
gable for sloops to South Berwick, and the Cochecho to Dover. The 
Cochecho Railroad, from Dover to jVlton Bay; the Great Falls and 
Conway Railroad, finished only twenty miles, to Union village in 
Wakefield ; and the Boston and Maine Railroad, traverse a considerable 
portion of the county. 

Strafford belongs to the first judicial district of the supreme court, a 
law term of which is held ainmally at Dover. The trial terms of tliis 



NEW IIAMPSIIIRE TOWN OF STKATFORD, ETC. 6')7 

court are lu'ld at tlie same placo on the third Tuesday of .March and 
tlie fourrli Tuesday of October; and Ihe terms uf the et)urt of eoiumon 
ph-as on llie tliird Tuesday of January and tlie ihh'd Tuesday of 
August, each year. Population, 29,374 ; valuation, ,$il,o24,30o. 

Stratford, iu the western j^art of C'oijs county, lies on the east bank 
of the Connecticut river, sixteen miles above Lancaster, and was incor- 
porated November 16, 1779. Among the first settlers were Isaac Johns- 
ton, James Curtis, James Brown, Josiah Lampkins, and Archippus 
Blodget. The town extends ten miles on the Connecticut river, and has 
a fertile interval, varying in width from a quarter of a mile to a mile, 
which is bordered in several places by a narrow plain. The east and north 
divisions of the town are very mountainous. The interval along the 
river is the only land fit for cultivation, and therefore the other portions 
are but sparsely settled. In the southeast part are two very considera- 
ble elevations, called the Stratford Peaks, which are of conical form, and 
can be seen at a great distance. From either side these twins preserve 
their symmetrical form, and their summits command views of great ex- 
tent and beauty. They seem to be disconnected from the great range 
stretching over the north and east parts of the town, and known as the 
Bowback mountains. Bog brook, and several smaller streams, fall into 
the Connecticut at this place; and Nash's stream crosses in a northeast 
direction, falling into the Ammonoosuc. There is but one pond. The 
principal articles of trade are litmber, wood, and timber. The CJrand 
Trunk Railway has stations at both villages. The villages are called 
Stratford Hollow and North Stratford. The town contains two 
churches, occtipied by the Methodists and Baptists; nine school dis- 
tricts; and two post-offices — Stratford and North Stratford : also, ten 
saw-mills, two grist-mills, one chair factory, one cabinet shop, and two 
shoe sho])s. Population, 502 ; valuation, $219,760. 

Strath a:\i, Rockingham county, situated on the east side of the 
west branch of Piscataqua river, adjoining Exeter on the southwest, is 
(hirty-nine miles from Concord. This town belonged to the Squamscott 
patent, or Hilton's j^urchasc, and was incorporated March 20, 1716. 
The first legal town meeting was held April 10, 1716, at which, 
after the election of town officers, five individuals were appointed "to 
be a committey to take care to Build a meeting house for the public 
worshipe of God in said town. And they are in full Power to liicar 
workemen to carry on the worke and to finish it." The meeting- 
house was built in 1718, and was after the fashion of the oldest meet- 
ing-houses now standing, of %\"hich, it is believed, there are but two or 



658 HISTORY AXD DESCIUPTIOX OF NEW ENGLAND. 

three in the state ; the pews beiiiij •■ built witii winseor work and all of -.x 
kind.'" In those days, rigorous rules were adopteil in the ehurrhes, one 
of which was " that when the conietey have seatid the meeting house 
every person that is Seatid shall Set in those Seats or pay five shillings 
Pir day for every day they set out of there Seates in a disorderly man- 
ner to advainee themselves higher in the meeting house." An exception 
was made in the case of " Mr. Andrew Wiggin," who had " Lebeity to 
set in what seat he pleaseth." Mr. Henry Rust was the first minister, 
ordained in J7f8, having served the church thirty-one years. Rev. 
Joseph Atlanis served the church from 1745 till 17S3, thirty-eight 
years. 

The siu-faee of the town is level. Agriculture is almost the exclu- 
sive employment of the people. Stratham is renowned as a fruit pro- 
ducing town, and large quantities are annually sent to market. A very 
extensive view of the beautiful scenery surrounding the White Moun- 
tains can be obtained from Stratham iiill. There are four religious soci- 
eties — one Congregational, one Baptist, and two Free-will Baptist; 
four school districts; and one post-office. The mills and machinery in 
operation in the town are valued at s2,330. The Portsmouth and Con- 
cord Railroad passes through Stratham. Population, 843; valuation, 
$443,271. 

Success, CoJis countv. is situated on the boundary line between New 
Hampshire and Maine, and is a rough township, its surface being almost 
entirely covered with woods. By the last census returns it has but two 
inhabitants. Narmarcungawack and Live rivers rise here and pass into 
the Androscoggin. Benjamin Mackay and others were the proprietors, 
to whom it was granted February IS, 1773. Valuation, 811,000. 

SULLIVAX, a short distance from the centre of Cheshire county, adjoins 
Keene, and is forty-two miles fro'm Concord. It was incorporated 
September 27, 1787, and received its name from Gen. John Sullivan, who 
was president of New Hampshire at that time, and who presented the 
town a book in which to keep the records. A small meeting-house was 
erected in 1791, and a Congregational church was organized on the 17lh 
of October. Rev. William Muzzy was the first minister, having been 
ordained February 6, 1798, and dismissed May 22, 1827. A new meet- 
ing-house was dedicated December 29, 1808. At the raiding of the 
frame, it was voted to have dinners provided for those who raised it, 
and liquor ad libitum, prayers being offered by jNIr. Muzzy, — a circum- 
stance which bears its own coiuments, and the mention of which should 
induce gratitude to God that even one sin of the fathers has been rcpu- 



NEW UAMPSniRE SULLIVAN COUNTY, ETC. 659 

diatctl l)y tlie cliildren. A Baptist society was formed in 1808. The 
surface of Sullivan is generally level. Ashuelot river waters tli(> south- 
ern part. There are no ponds of any note. Farming is the chief pur- 
suit, and those who follow it have, by their energy and industry, accu- 
mulated enough of this world's goods to render them in a measure 
independent. Sullivan contains one Congregational church, five school 
districts, and two post-otfices (Sullivan and East Sullivan). Tiie mills 
in town are valued at 82,500. Population, 468; valuation, $228,534. 

Sullivan County, in the west-southwest part of the state, covers 
five hundred and seventy square miles. The act establishing this new 
territorial division was passed July 5, 1827, Cheshire being despoiled 
of about half its original limits to give Sullivan existence. The county 
was made up of Acworth, Charlestown, Claremont, Cornish, Croydon, 
(Trantham, (Joshen, Lempster, Langdon, Newport, Plainficld, Spring- 
field, Unity. Washington, and Wendell (now Sitnapcc), and still re- 
nniiis as then organized. Newport has always been the shire. The 
land in this ct)unty is elevated, but the surface is not generally uneven. 
Here and there mouulaiii riilg<'s and peaks raise their heads, — the 
most noticeable of which are Croydon moimtain and the Sunapee 
mountains. For the prosecution of agriculture the soil possesses many 
advantages; that along the valleys of the numerous streams being 
particularly fertile. The Connecticut river forms the western boundary, 
and the Ashuelot and other smaller streams run' through in dilTerent 
directions, furnishing a water power of large capacity. The county is 
diversified with numerous ponds, and Sunapee lake lies on the eastern 
bordi'r. The general appearance of the region is picturesque, and there 
are many points possessing scenic beauty. The Connecticut river is 
navigable for boats, ;unl the county is traversed by the Sullivan Rail- 
road, the Concord and Claremont Railroad being projected to connect 
with the Sullivan. 

The county belongs to the third Judicial district of the supreiiK^ court, 
a law ternr of which is held at Newport on the tliirtl Tuesdav "f 
December. The trial terms of this court are held in the same town on 
tlie fourth Tuesday of January and the first Tuesday of September; 
and the terms of the eotu't of common |)leas on the same days of each 
year. Population, 19,o7-5; valuation, ,$7,867,350. 

Sunapee, Sullivan county, is hounded to a large extent on the east 
by Sunapee lake, a l)eautiful sheet of water nine miles in length, ami 
averaging two and a lialf in width. The town was granted November 
7, 1768, to John Sprague and others, under tlie name of Saville, and 



660 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENfiLAND. 

was settled, in 1772, by persons from Rhode Islruid. It was incor- 
porated April 4, 1781, under tiie name of Wendell, which it received in 
honor of John Wendell, one of the principal proprietors; and the change 
to the present name was made July 12, 1S50. The Baptists organized 
the first church. A small society of Congregationalists was incorporated 
June 24, 1819. Sunapee has an uneven surface, and is in some parts 
rockv and mountainous. Sugar river has its source in Sunapee lake, 
passino- centrally through this town into Newport, and from thence into 
Claremont, where it forms .a junction with the Connecticut. This river 
furnishes several mill privileges. There are three small ponds, covering 
an area of about three hundred acres. 

Sunapee is much resorted to in the summer by persons from the 
crowded cities for pleasure and recreation. The beautiful Sunapee 
lake, which abounds in fish, and the highly romantic scenery, render 
this spot peculiarly adapted for those purposes. It is easy of access from 
Concord, the distance by railroad from the capital being thirty-five 
miles. There are two villages: the largest, in the centre of the town, 
is called the Harbor, and the other, at the extreme northeast, is called 
(ieorge's Mills. The town contains three church edifices — Universalist, 
Methodist, and a Union house; eight school districts; and two post- 
oiRccs — Sunapee and George's Mills : also, one threshing-machine 
maiutfactory, one large tannery, one establishment for making shoe-pegs, 
and one for clothes-pins; four saw-mills, two grist-mills, one carriage fac- 
tory, four stores, and two hotels. Po])ulation, 787 ; valuation, •$228,534. 

SiT.UY, towards the western ]iart of Cheshire county, fifty-two miles 
from Concord, is a sninll townsiiip, and was incoqxirated March i>. 
17(U1. having been made up from portions of Gilsum and Wesimore- 
lancj. Its name was derived from Surry, England. Peter Hayward 
conuucneed clearing a farm in the sunuuer of 17(Jo, and took up his 
residence here in 1764. Whilst clearing his larm he re>idcd at the 
furl in Keene, and was wont to go \o his labor in the morning and 
reiurn to ilie fort in the evenimj, his only protection from the savages, 
ili<n lurking near, being his dog and his gun. The first church organ- 
ized was a Congregational, June 12, 1769. Hon. Lemuel Holiues, a 
judge of the comt of common pleas and a councillor in 1793. was a 
resident of Surry. Ashuelot river supplies -w'ater to the town. Ex- 
tending the whole length of Surry, on the banks of tiiis river, is a rich 
tract of meadow I.ind. A i)reei|)itous and high eminence, having a 
pond of three acres on its summit, lies on the east side of Ashuelot 
river, which, from its situation and great height above the river, may 
be considered a natural curiosity. There are two church edifices, free 



x::w iiAMPSimiE — ^town of sutton, etc. 661 

1(1 all denominations; four school districts, and one post-office: also, 
one grist-mill, two saw-mills, one store, and two hotels. Po])ulation, 
•556 ; valuation, §187,844. 

SuTTOX, in the western part of Merrimack county, twenty-five miles 
from Concord, was granted, in 1749, by the Masonian proprietors, to 
inhabitants of Haverhill, Newbury, and Bradford, Mass., and Kingston, 
N. ri. It was called Perrystown, in honor of Obadiah Perry, one of 
its original and principal proprietors. David Pea^lee commenced the 
settlement in 1767, and several others soon foUowed. When the first 
inhabitants arrived, there were several acres of land in the vicinity 
(if Kezar's pond, whicli gave evidence of having been cleared of the 
original growth of trees; and here were found a number of Indian 
hearths, laid with stone, ingeniously and skilfully contrived. There 
are other indications that the Indians had a settlement here, — such as 
a burial ground, gun barrels, arrows, stone pestles, and mortars. To 
what tribe these Indians belonged, it is impossible, at this late day, to 
determine. The moose, the deer, the beaver, the otter, the muskrat, the 
bi'ar, and the wolf were commonly seen when the town was first set- 
tled ; and the two former frequently approached the humble cottages 
of the earlier inhabitants. 

The surface is uneven, being comprised of a succession of hills and 
dales, while in several localities it is rough and mountainous. There 
are many fine farms to be seen, in a good state of cultivation. Kear- 
sarge mountain extends more than half the length of Sutton on its east 
side. From its summit, which is annually visited by hundreds, an 
extensive view of the surrounding country can be had. King's hill, 
another lofty eminence, is situated in the western part. Clay, good 
building stone, and plumbago are found in considerable quantities. 
Branches of Warner and Blackwater rivers run through this town. 
The principal pond is Kezar's, lying towards the north part of Sutton. 
The inhabitants arc for the most part engaged in the cultivation of the 
soil; they are industrious, and, though there are no " millionnaires " 
among them, they are generally happy and independent. Large quan- 
tities of lumber are annually manufactured. There are three villages — 
South, North, and Mill ; three church edifices — Baptist, Free-will 
Baptist, and Universalist ; fourteen school districts ; and two post- 
oiBces — Sutton and North Sutton. Population, 1,387 ; valuation, 
$442,689. 

SwAXZEY, towards the southern division of Cheshire countv. is sixty 
miles from Concord, and was first granted, by Massachusetts, in 17o3, 
VOL. I. 56 



662 HISTORY AND l)E.-;('KIl'TIi).\ UF XEW ENGLAND. 

to sixty-four |)ropi-i<'lors. who iirkl tlu"ir first meeting in Concord, Mass., 
June 27, 1734. 'I'lic i)l;iniation was culled Lower Ashuelot. On the 
settlement of the boundaries between New Hampshire and Massa- 
chusetts, Lower Ashuelot was granted by the former state, July 2, 1753, 
under its jireseut name, to sixty-two proprietors. The first settlers 
canie priuri|)idly from INIassaehusetts, and were a good class of people. 
The Indians annoyed the inhabitants very severely; and, being left un- 
protected by Massachusetts, w'hose jurisdiction they then acknowledged, 
they were forced to abandon the settlement in 1747, burying in the 
ground many articles of furniture.* During the absence of the settlers, 
all the buildings save one were destroyed. Three years afterwards, 
the former inhabitants returned. The first church was Congregational, 
organized November 4, 1741. Rev. Timothy Harrington was ordained 
the same day ; but, his house being burned by the Indians, March 26, 
1745, the records of the society were lost. Mr.. Hanington w-as dis- 
missed on application ; but when is not known. He resigned his right 
to the lot of land of the first minister, and made the church a present 
of a silver cup, which cost 815.35. In October, 1753, Keene and 
Sw^anzey united in the support of the gospel, w'hich union continued 
about seven years. Rev. Ezra Carpenter was the first minister of this 
union society, and remained with Swanzey after the dissolution. Five 
ministers have since served in the capacity of pastor. 

About one third of the surface of Swanzey is level, and comprises 
equal quantities of plain and interval. The Ashuelot and South Branch 
rivers are the only streams of note, both having good mill sites. Great 
pond and Lock's pond, each about a mile long and 270 rods wdde, lie in 
West Swanzey. An abundance of fine trout are found in Hyponeco 
brook. There are four villages — Sw^anzey, on the Ashuelot river, in 
the west part of the town ; Westport, on the line of Winchester, two 
miles below West Swanzey; Swanzey Factory village, in the north 
part of the town, about two miles from the court-house in Keene ; and 
Unionville, in the southeast part. There are three church edifices. 
Congregational, Baptist, and Universalist ; one academy, called Mount 
Cffisar ^Academy ; thirteen school districts, aU furnished with good 
school-houses; and three post-offices — Swanzey, West Sw^anzey, and 
Westport: also, a steam-mill at the Centre, for grinding grain, and for 
the manufacture of pails, chair stuff, clotlws-pins, and other wooden 
ware; at West Swanzey, one steam wooden ware factory, one door, 
sash, and blind factory, two saw-mills, and a grist-mill ; at Westport, 

> A Bil.l.' is now in tlio possession of ouo of the inlial)itauts, wUich is said to lla^•e been 
buried under a brass kettle. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF TAJIWOKTH. 6(53 

one gi-ist and saw-mill ; at Swanzcy Factory village, one wooden 
^\•are factory, one saw-mill, one door, sash, and blind factory ; and, at 
Unionville, two saw-mills and two establishments for making wooden 
ware. The AshueJot Railroad, a branch of the Connecticut River 
Railroad, passes through the town. Population, 2,106 ; valuation, 
$685,331. 

Tajiworth, lying in the central part of Carroll county, sixty miles 
from Concord, was granted to John Webster, Jonathan Moulton, and 
others, October 14, 1766; and its settlement was begun, in 1771, by 
Richard Jackman, Jonathan Choate, David Philbrick, and William 
Eastman. The early inhabitants endured hardships of no common 
order, and were often obliged to go to Gilmanton and Canterbury, a 
distance of thirty or forty miles, to procure corn and grain, which was 
brought from thence on their backs or on hand-sleds. Rev. Joshua 
Nickcrson, from Cape Cod, preached here occasionally until 1778. 
There were very strong prejudices among the people against " college- 
learned men," and one woman declared that she " would as Hef see the 
devil " as one of them. These prejudices were, however, dispelled under 
the warm-hearted addresses of Rev. Samuel Hidden, a young man fresh 
from college, who commenced preaching January 14, 1792. Mr. Hid- 
den's ordination and the organization of a church were appointed to be 
on the 12th of September following, which, after much wrangling be- 
tween the council and the people (who were made up of Congregation- 
alists, Baptists, and Free-will Baptists), came off according to the pro- 
gi-amme, a church of nineteen members being formed. A graphic pic- 
ture of the ordination has been given by a member of the council.^ 

' " ilr. Hiiiden Tvas ordained on a large rock (twenty feet by thirty, and fifteen feet 
liiirli), on wliich fifty men might stand. His foundation must be secure and soUd; for 
tills rock will stand till Gabriel shall divide it by the power of God. Early in the morn- 
ing the people assembled around this rock, men, women, boys, and girls, together with 
doirs and other domestic animals. It is an entire forest about this place. The scenery is 
wild. On the north is a high hill ; and north of this is a mountain, called Chocoriia, 
which touches heaven. On the south, and in all directions, are mountains, steep and 
rugfied. I had expected to hear the howling of the wolf and the screeching of the owl ; 
but, instead of these, were heard the melting notes of the robin, the chirping of the S])ar- 
row and other birds, that made the forest seem like Paradise. The men looked happy, 
rugged, and fearless. Their trowsers came down to about half-way between the knee and 
ankle ; the coats were mostly short, and of nameless shapes ; many wore slouched hats, 
and many were shoeless. The women looked ruddy, and as though they loved their lu:s- 
bands. Their clothing was all of domestic manufacture ; every woman had a checked 
linen apron, and carried a clean linen handkerchief. Their bonnets! well, I cannot 
describe them ; I leave them to yoin* imagination. But think of the grandeur of the 
-■iceue ! — a great rock the pulpit, — the whole town the floor of the house, — and the 



664 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTIOX OF XEW ENGLAND. 

]\Ir. Hidden served tliis peojile until his death in 1837, the forty-sixth 
year of his ministry, dnring w liieli period the church was muc-h pros- 
pered, there being an average yearly increase of eleven members. In 
the year 1800 there was a great religious reformation here, extending 
its influence to several adjoining towns. The professed conversion of 
about three hundred persons in a town then containing but 757 inhab- 
itants ought certainly to be set down as an era in its history. But. 
alas for the degeneracy of man I it is said that but about one third of 
the present population attend religious worship. 

The surface of Tamworth consists of ridges and valleys. Burton 
mountain on the north, and Ossipee mountain on the south, lie partly 
in this town. On the north, the mountains have a romantic view. 
Bearcani]) river passes through the town in an easterly direction. 
Swift river runs through the centre, and Conway river intersects the 
south line. These rivers, and other smaller streams, furnish a plentiful 
supply of water, as well as some excellent mill privileges. Lead ore 
and argentiferous galena have been found here. Lumber, neat stock, 
and produce are the principal articles of trade. Tiiere are three villages 
— Tamworth, South Tamworth, and Tamworth Iron Works, with 
a post-olliee at each ; three church edifices — Congregational, Free-will 
Baptist, and INIethodist ; and nineteen school districts : also, eight saw- 
mills, fourteen shingle mills, three machine-shops, and one shoe-peg 
factory. Population, 1,766 ; valuation, 8285,688. 

Tejiple. in the southwestern part of Hillsborough county, forty miles 
from Concord, is the easterly part of what was formerly known as 
Peterborough Slip, and was incorporated August 26, 1768. The first 
church organized was a Congregational, October 2, 1771. Rev. Sam- 
uel Webster was settled over the church the same day, and continued 
till his death, six years. He was chaplain in the northern army in 1777. 
and returned here on account of sickness, dying November 14, 1777. 
Rev. Noah Miles, the second minister, served the church from 1782 till 
his death, November 20, 1831, a period of fifty years. The Hon. Francis 
Blood and Gen. James Miller, the latter distinguished in the war of 1812, 
resided in Temple. The surface is uneven and rocky to a great extent, 
though the quality of the soil is such that it can be advantageou.sly im- 
proved. The situation of tiie town is very elevated, and extensive and 

canopy of lioavcn tlu> roof. — and the tall stnnly trees the walls ! Who could help feel- 
iiiir devotional ? This is the place nature has formed tor pure worship. Long shall this 
stand, like the rock on which our fathers landed." — Lawrence's Congregational Churches. 
p. 592. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE — TOWN OF THORNTON. G65 

beautiful views can be obtained from the east and south. The Tcuipk* 
mountains lie along the western and northwestern borders, and many 
small streams originate in them. Farmer and Moore, thirty-five years 
ago, said : '' From the highest point of elevation, twenty meeting-houses 
may be seen when the atmosphere is clear." Temple has one village, 
in the centre of the town; two church edifices — Congregational and 
Universalist ; six school districts, with a school in each ; and one post- 
office : also, two saw-mills, one grist-mill, and one tannery. Population, 
579; valuation, $263,934. 

Thornton, in the eastern part of Grafton county, fifty-eight miles 
from Concord, was granted to Matthew, James, and Andrew Thornton, 
and others, July 6, 1763, and its settlement was commenced, in 1770, by 
Benjamin Hoit, whose son Benjamin was the first child claiming 
nativity in the town. Thornton was endowed with corporate privileges, 
November 8, 1781. A tract of land, know'n as Waterville Gore, was 
annexed to this town, June 23, 1842. A Congregational church of 
twelve members was organized April 11, 1780, and Rev. Experience 
Estabrook, who had preached here as early as 1778 or 1779, was or- 
dained as pastor, August 23, 1780. There was no church edifice during 
his ministry of six years, he having preached in a log school-house in the 
winter, and in barns during the summer. Mr. Noah Worcester "\\as pas- 
tor of the church from October, 1787, to 1809 or 1810. He had come 
into town about 1781, and purchasi^d a tract of land, on which he worked 
a part of the time, and a part of the time at his trade (shoe making), 
another portion being spent in study. In 1789, a meeting-house was 
built, the building materials being paid for in " wheat, rye, corn, and 
flax." At the dedication of the meeting-house, the following expenses 
were incurred : "Amountfor victualling fifty-four persons, $9; for brandy 
and West India rum, $5 ; for sugar, $1. Total, $15." The surface is 
uneven, but the soil is suitable for grain. There are quite a number of 
enunenees, but none of any remarkable height. Along the Pemigcwas- 
set river, which intersects Thornton from north to south, there is som(> 
very productive interval. Mad river, and several small brooks, furnish 
water. There is a cascade on Mill brook, the water of which falls seven 
feet in two rods, and then leaps over a perpendicular rock forty -two feet. 
Maple sugar is manufactured in considerable quantities. There are 
three church edifices — Congregational, Free-will Baptist, and Meth- 
odist; twelve school districts; and two post-offices — Thornton and 
West Thornton: also, two saw-mills and two shingle mills. Popula- 
tion, 1,011 ; valuation, $253,717. 

56* 



666 HISTORY A^'D DESCRIPTIOX OF XEW ENGLAND. 

Troy, in tlic sontheaistcrn ]v.ut of Cheshire foniity, fifty-four mile? 
from C'oiu-ord, was formerly tin' southerly ])art of Marlborough, the 
north part of Fitzwilliam, and the southerly ])arts of Swanzey and 
Richmond, having been incorporated June 23, ISlo. A house of wor- 
ship was erected in 1814. The people at that time were much given to 
intemperance and immorality, but have, of late years, visibly improved 
through religions inHuences. A Congregational church was organized 
Sej^tember 14, 1815, to which about one fourth of the population belong. 
The first minister w'as Rev. Ezekicl Rich, who continued from 181-5 to 
1818, since which the people have enjoyed only stated supplies and 
short pastorates for the greater portion of the time. 

Troy is small in territory, and the surface and soil are various. A 
branch of the Ashuelot river enters the town, but the streams are gener- 
ally small, and hence the water power is not very extensive. There are 
three church edifices — Congregational, Baptist, and Universalist ; si\ 
school districts, with six schools ; and one post-oflice : also, two woollen 
manufactories, three pail factories, two rake factories, one iron-nioj) 
factory, one large tannery, seven saw-mills, one peg factory, and sho]:)s for 
the manufacture of clothes-pins, pail-handles, and washboards. The 
Cheshire Railroad has a station in Troy. Population, 759 ; valuation, 
$287,321. 

TrFTONBORiHiiii, in the southern ))art of Carroll county, forty-tive 
miles from Concord, was granted to John Tufton Mason, from whom it 
derived its name, and was settled about 1780. The act of incorpora- 
tion was passed December 17, 1795. Benjamin Bean, Phineas Graves, 
and Joseph Peavey w^ere among the earliest inhabitants. The siu-face 
of Tuftonborough is even in some parts, while in others it is very broken. 
The town is sitviated on the shore of Winnepesaukee lake (.several 
arms of which enter Tuftonborough some distance), a view of which 
from the einincnces is exceedingly picturesque, and scarcely surpassed 
by any other scenery in this locality. There are a immber of ponds 
and several small streams w'hich (low into the laki'. The raising of 
neat-cattle and sheep engages the principal part of the attention of the 
inhabitants, who are an industrious and thrifty people. There are Free- 
will Baptist, Christian, and Methodist societies ; eleven school districts, 
and three post-oflices — Tuftonborough, Melvin Village, and ]Mackerel 
Corner : also, two saw-mills, one sash, blind, and door factory, one 
carriage factory, and two gi'ist-mills. Population, 1,305 ; valuation, 
§874,713. 

Unity, in the western part of Sullivan county, fifty miles from Con- 



NEW HAMPSHIRE — TOWN OF WAKEFIELD. GC)7 

cord, was granted July 13, 17G4, Theodore Atkinson, Mcshcch Wcarc, 
and forty-iive otliers, being the proprietors. Its name originated l)y 
reason of the happy termination of a controversy, which had been car- 
ried on for a length of time between certain persons in Kingston and 
Hampstead who claimed the same tract of land undi'r two ditli^reiit 
grants. The settlement of the town was begun in 1769. John Ladtl. 
Moses Thurston, Charles Huntoon, and Joseph Perkins were the 
earliest inhabitants. No minister of the gos[)el has ever been settled 
here, and the land reserved for such minister has been devoted to the 
support of schools. 

Unity has an uneven and rocky surface, but the soil is strong. The 
raising of stock receives considerable attention, the town l)eing justly 
celebrated for its excellent breeds of cattle and sheep. Perry's moun- 
tain, in the western part, is the largest elevation, and lies partly in 
Charlestown ; Glidden's peak lies a little west of the centre. The prin- 
cipal ponds are Cold, Oilman's, and Marshall's: the first is the head of 
Cold river; from the second (lows a branch of Sugar river; and the 
latter is the source of Little Sugar river, which runs in a westerly direc- 
tion through Unity, and thence through the north jjart of Charlestown, 
emptying into the Connecticut. Unity abounds in minerals of various 
descriptions. Granular quartz, used in the manufacture of sand-paper, 
is found ; and in the eastern part of the town is a strong chalybeate 
spring, celebrated for its curative powers. From the soil around this 
spring, copperas has been made, by leaching and evaporation. A con- 
sideralile vein of copper and iron ])yrites has been discovered, which 
promises to be very valuable when worked ; and small deposits of bog 
iron ore occur here and there. A mineral, nev<n- before discovered, was 
found here by Dr. Jackson, to Vv^hieh he has given the name of chloro- 
phyllite. Crystals of magnetic iron ore, garnets, radiated actinolite, iolite 
(a fine, di>licate, blue-colored stone, highly prized by jewellers), and titan- 
ium (much used in the arts of porcelain painting and in the irianufac- 
ture of mineral teeth), are found here, some of them in large quantities. 

Unity has one village, situated at the centre; three church edifices — 
Methodist, Baptist, and Quaker ; eleven school districts, with the same 
number of schools ; and two post-offices — Unity and East Unity : also, 
one lath and shingle machine, four saw-mills, one gi'ist-mill, one gi-ocery 
store, and one hotel. Population, 961 ; valuation, $333,404. 

Wakefield, in the eastern part of Carroll county, adjoining Newfield, 
Me., is fifty miles from Concord, and was formerly called East Town, 
having been incorporated August 30, 1774. Robert Macklin, a native 
of Scotland, died here in 1787, having reached the advanced age of 1 lo 



fifiS HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

years. He frequently walked from Portsmouth to Boston in one day, 
returning the next. The last time he performed this journey was at the 
age of eighty years. The Congi'egational church, formed September 
17, 1785, was the first in town, Rev. Asa Piper being ordained the same 
day, and served till May 17, 1883. 

The surface of Wakefield is diversified witli liills, rocks, and ponds, 
and is considerably broken. The soil is stubborn ; but when subdued 
and brought under cultivation is very productive. The largest collec- 
tion of water is called East pond, but should be designated by its 
Indian name, Newichawannock. It is a beautiful sheet of water, three 
miles in length and one mile in width, and is worthy to be called Lake 
Newichawannock. Lovewell's pond received its name from the famous 
Captain Lovewell, who here surprised and killed ten Pequawket Indians. 
Balch pond, the largest portion of which is in Wakefield, extends into 
Acton, Me. Pine River pond, in the north part, is the source of a small 
river of that name, which runs in a northerly direction and empties into 
a pond in Ossipee. A rivulet takes its rise in Newichawannock pond, 
and, until it reaches the Piscataqua, sometimes receives the name of 
Salmon Falls river, but ought properly to be called by the same name 
as the pond from which it originates. There are three villages — Walvc- 
field. Union, and Pine River; four church edifices — Congregational, 
Free-will Baptist, Congregational and Methodist, and Free-will Baptist 
and Methodist; an incorporated academy having no funds, and in 
operation but a part of the time ; ten school districts ; and four post- 
offices — Wakefield, Union Village, North Wakefield, and East W'ake- 
field : also, five saw-mills, five grist-mills, and ten shingle, clapboard, and 
planing mills. A large amount of lumber is manufactured and exported 
by railroad, and the shoe business is pretty extensively carried on. 
Population, 1,405 ; valuation, 8345,825. 

Walpole, in the western part of Cheshire county, on Connecticut 
river, — which divides the town from Westminster, Vt., — is sixty miles 
from Concord, and was granted by New Hampshire to Colonel Benja- 
min Bellows and sixty-one others, February 16, 1752, having been 
known as Great Falls.^ Its settlement was commenced, in 1749, by 
John Kilburn and family, who were followed, two years afterwards, by 
Colonel Bellows. The Canadians and Indians, ever on the alert for 
conquest among the English settlements, did not allow W' alpole to re- 
main undisturbed. In the spring of 1755, an Indian, called Philip, who 
understood the Enghsh language, stopped at the house of Mr. Kilburn, 

• For a previous grant, in 1735, by the government of Massachusetts, see article on 
Baldwin, Me., ante, p. 43. 



NEW IIAMPSIIIRE TOWN OF WALPOLE. 6(39 

ostpiisibly to obtain supplies to last liim through a hunting excursion 
which he pretended to be on, but in reality to learn the strengtii of the 
settlement, — having visited all the towns on the Connecticut wilii the 
same plausible errand. Shortly after this, the settlers learned, through 
Governor Shirley, that it was the design of four or five hundred In- 
dians, who were assembled in Canada, to destroy all the whites on the 
Connecticut. This intelligence was not encouraging; but these hardy 
pioiKM'rs innnediately prepared for defence by fortifying their houses. 
About half a mile from Kilburn's house was a fort, garrisoned by tliirty 
men, under command of Colonel Bellows; but this was but a slight 
|)rotection against the anticipated force. 

The Indians made their appearance on the 17th of August, 175'), ami 
were seen by Kilburn and his men, who hastened home, and t-om- 
menced preparations to defend their property, or die in the attenqit. In 
the house were Kilburn and his son John (eighteen years of age), a 
man named Peak and his son, Mrs. Kilburn, and her daughter Hitty. 
They had not been in the house long, before the Indians came forth 
from their hiding-place, east of Kilburn's house, 197 in number, while a 
like number remained concealed near the mouth of Cold river. It was 
decided by the Indians to surprise Colonel Bellows — who, with his 
men, was at work at his mill — before commencing operations on the 
house of Kilburn ; and, accordingly, they laid in ambush, awaiting his 
return. The colonel and his party, about thirty in all, were returning 
to the fort, each with a bag of meal on his back, unconscious of danger 
till the dogs began to give tokens of the presence of an enemy, when 
Bellows prepared to act on the defensive. He gave directions that 
each man should relieve himself of his burden, and, after crawling care- 
fully up the hill, spring upon his feet, give a single yell, and immediately 
prostrate himself in the fern. This stratagem had the desired effect; 
the savages came forth from their ambush as soon as they heard the 
yell, and were received with a well-directed fire, which caused them to 
rush into the bushes witliout the discharge of a shot. Bellows did 
not pursue them, their numbers being too great; Ijut made for the fort. 

The Indians, after this, [iroceeded to Kilburn's house ; and Philip, con- 
cealing himself behind a tree, summoned the inmates to surrender, say- 
ing that they should have " good quarter." " Quarter!" thundered out 
Kilburn; " you black rascals, begone, or we "11 quarter i/oii .' " The at- 
tack was soon commenced; Kilburn, however, getting the first fire, 
which, it is thought, was fatal to Philip, a man much resembling him 
having been seen to fall. The savages then rushed forward in a lit (if 
desperation, pouring not less than four hundred bullets into the roof and 
sides of the house at the first fire. The cattle were butchered, the hay 



670 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTIOX OF NEW ENGLAND. 

and grain dcstroypcl, and an incot<sant fire was kept up at the ill-fated 
house. Kilburn and the inmates, however, did not remain idle ; every 
thing was done which could facilitate matters and aid in the defence ; 
and, so constant was the firing that the guns were kept hot, while each 
shot told with deadly effect upon the enemy, who, to escape them, took 
shelter behind the trees and stumps. The women were as active in the 
cause as the men, employing themselves in loading the muskets ; and 
when their .supply of lead gave out, they suspended blankets in the roof 
of the house to catch the bullets of the enemy, which were recast and 
returned to their original owners, with interest. The Indians made 
several attempts to force the doors, but the shots from within compelled 
them to desist. About sunset, seeing their efforts unavailing, they 
gradually slackened operations ; and when the sun disappeared below 
the horizon, the savages evacuated the town, returning again to Canada. 
Thus was thwarted an expedition, which, had it not been for the obsti- 
nate resistance met from Kilburn, it is reasonable to infei', would have 
been fraught wdth evil consequences to the other settlements. Captain 
Kilburn lived to see his fourth generation on the stage, the town jiopu- 
lous and flourishing, and died April 8, 17S9, in the eighty-fifth year of 
his age. A meeting-house was erected in 1787. 

The surface of Walpole is diversified with hills and vales, presenting 
a beautiful appearance ; the intervals are superior for tillage, and the 
uplands are second to none in the state. Fall mountain, some seven or 
eight hundred feet above the river, is the highest elevation. Through 
the north part runs Cold river, which unites with the Connecticut. A 
bridge crosses the Connecticut, near the village of Bellows Falls, Vt., 
known as Tucker's bridge, from which a view of considerable grandeur 
is obtained. Here also are the celebrated Abenaqui Springs, the waters 
of which are possessed of remarkable medicinal qualities. There 
are two villages — Walpole and Drewsville, the former of which is sit- 
uated at the foot of Fall mountain, on an extensive plain, the main 
street nmning north and south, having houses, stores, and shops on 
either side. The streets are generally wide, shaded with elm and maple 
trees ; and many of the residences are elegant and costly. There is a 
plat of ground laid out as a common, which is handsomely decorated 
with trees. Drewsville is a pleasant village, situated on Cold river. 
Tliere are six church edifices — Congregational, Episcopalian, Meth- 
odist, Christian, Unitarian, and Universalist; fourteen school districts, 
the schools in which are on the graded system, consisting of primary, 
grammar, and high schools; and two post-offices — Walpole and 
Drewsville : also, three grist-mills, three saw-mills, two boot and shoe 
manufactories, one carriage manufactory, one harness-maker's shop. 



NEW IIAMPSIIIRE TOWN OF WARXER. 671 

one small woollen manufactovv, one shingle, latli, and clapboard mill, 
one manufactory of boxes for pills and other articles, one shirt manu- 
factory, various mechanic shops and stores, and one hotel — known 
as the Walpole House. About three miles and three quarters from 
Bellows Falls is a cemetery, in a secluded spot, far from the haunts 
of business, to which appertain many of the beauties of nature. In 
this cemetery a marble monument, in memory of Colonel Benjamin 
Bellows, has been erected by his numerous descendants. The 
Cheshire Railroad connects with \A'al|)uK\ Population, 3,034; valua- 
tion, $1,191,344. 

Warner, in the western part of Merrimack county, fifteen miles 
northwest of Concord, contains 29,620 acres, including Kearsage Gore, 
which was annexed in 1818. Warner was first granted by the govern- 
ment of Massachusetts Bay, in 1735, to sundry petitioners in Ames- 
l)ury and Salisbury, Mass. Several efforts were made at settlement by 
these proprietors, who erected, in 1749, four houses, as also a saw-mill,' 
but, the French war commencing at this time, no further proceedings 
were taken in the matter, and the improvements thus far commenced 
were destroyed by the Indians. For thirteen years nothing of conse- 
quence was accomplished ; and, in 1763, the axe-man's blows again 
broke the silence in this then howling wilderness. In 1741, the divis- 
ional lines between Massachusetts and New Hampshire were settled, 
and soon after, this town was granted, by the Masonian proprietors, to 
sixty-three inhabitants of Rye, by the name of Jennistown. This led 
to considerable trouble between the two sets of proprietors, which was 
eventually settled by the payment of .£140 to the Rye proprietors. 
Surveys were made many times, the last time in 1770 ; but their luim- 
ber did not, as one might think, lead to symmetry or compactness in the 
plans, as the lots are very irregularly laid out. 

The first settlement was in 1762, by Daniel Annis, and his sons-in- 
law Reuben Kimball and Daniel Floyd. Isaac Waldron and his two 
sons, and Pasky Pressy, moved into town with their families the year 
after. They were followed rapidly by others, and in 1773 there were 
thirty-three families here, beside those already mentioned. The customs 
and manners of the first settlers were very simple and plain. Being 
circumscribed in their social circles, and very limited in numbers, each 
seemed to take an interest in, and seek, his neighbor's welfare with fra- 
ternal affection. The town was incorporated September 3, 1774, 
changing its name from New Amesbury, which it then bore, to Warren. 
The inhabitants formed a Congregational society two years before the 
incorporation of the town — on the 0th of February, 1772. Rev. Wil- 



672 mSTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

Ham Kelly, oidainod tlie same day, served the church till 1801, wiicii he 
was compclli'd to ask for a dismission, on account of insullicicncy of 
salary. A new church was erected by this society, October 20, 1819, 
which cost •*?2,400. AVlun the war of the Revolution commenced, 
Warner was not behind her neighbors in preparing for the contest. The 
number of the inhabitants was small, and the people poor ; but they 
promptly furnished their quota of men for the field, some of whom were 
as effective and brave as any that could be found in the service. Dur- 
ing the last war with Great Britain, thirteen men from Warner served 
in the army, and participated in several of the skirmishes with the 
enemy. Not one of the inhabitants, however, was ever wounded or lost 
in battle. On the 9th of September, 1821, this town was visited with 
a most violent and destructive hurricane, by which four lives were lost, a 
luimber seriously injured, and considerable property destroyed. 

The surface of Warner is broken, but the soil is excellent. Abun- 
dance of water is supplied by Warner river and its tributaries, which 
divides the town into two equal parts, furnishing several valuable mill 
privileges. There are four ponds — Thom, Pleasant, Bear, and Bag- 
ley's. Pleasant pond has no visible inlet or outlet ; but it is probably 
supplied through subterranean passages, which raise the water, at times, 
without any apparent cause, sufficiently high to overflow its banks. 
Warner has a full share of mountains and high blulTs. Kearsarge moun- 
tain, on the north, rears its majestic head from the bosom of a dense 
forest of evergreens. Warner is strictly a farming town. There are 
four villages — Davisville, Lower Village, Centre Village, and Waterloo; 
four church edifices — Congregational, Baptist, Methodist, and Univer- 
salist; twenty-four school districts ; the Warner Bank, with a capital of 
!g.50,000; and one post-office: also, four grist-mills, twelve saw-mills, 
one cabinet manufactory, and one bottle manufactory. The Concord 
and Clarcmont Railroad runs through Warner. Po]nilation, 2,038 ; val- 
uation, 6638,561. 

Warren, near the centre of Grafton county, is sixty-five miles from 
Concord, and was incorporated July 14, 17()o. The settlement was 
connnenced, about 1765, by Joseph Patch. The surface is mountainous 
in the southeast part, and the other portions are not very even, though 
the soil, which is strong and deep, is easily cultivated, and suited to 
mowing and pasturage. Carr mountain lies on the southerly line of the 
town. Baker's river has a southerly course nearly through the centre 
of Warren. About four miles from Warren village is a lead-mine, 
which is now worked by a company. The vein thus far discovered is 
about eight hundred feet in length, and averages about seven feet in 



NEW IIAMPSIIIRE TOWN OF WASHINGTON. 673 

width. Two shafts have been sunk, one forty-eight, the other sixty-five, 
feet in depth. The purest yield of lead yet taken is eighty-six per 
centum. Besides lead, eopper is found in considerable cjuantities, and 
an encouraging yield of silver. The proportion of silver thus far ob- 
tained is fifty-five ounces to each ton of lead. Three buildings have 
been erected on the premises, in one of which is an engine of thirty 
horse power, for crushing and separating. Warren has one church edi- 
fice — Methodist ; ten school districts, and one post-office : also, seven 
saw-mills, one grist-mill, four shingle and lath mills, one tannery, two 
harness-makers, two carriage-makens, and two sash, bUnd, and door 
makers. The Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad passes through 
tile town. Population, 872 ; valuation, $294,547. 

Washington, in the southeast corner of Sullivan county, tliirty- 
five miles from Concord, was granted, by the Masonian proprietors, to 
Reuben Kidder of New Ipswich, by whom its settlement was com- 
menced in 1768. It was originally called Monadnock No. 8 ; after- 
wards, from the date of its settlement, Camden, wdiich name it retained 
till December 13, 1776, when the act of incorporation was passed, and 
the present name given to it. Tiie settlers were encouraged to immi- 
grate by the offer to each of 150 acres of land. A grist-mill and a saw- 
mill were erected the year after the settlement. Most of the early 
inhabitants came from Massachusetts, and were men of industrious 
habits, and were accustomed to toil and hardships that would be 
deemed intolerable by the present generation. Great self-denial and 
strict economy were practised by them. The Congregational church 
was organized on the 9th of May, 1789. The first meeting-house was 
completed the same year. Rev. Cxeorge Leslie was the first minister, 
having been installed in 1780. He was born in L-eland, but was 
l)iought here when very young. To give an idea as to the difficulty in 
travelling at this time, it may be mentioned, that it took Mr. Lesfie 
nine days to come from Ipswich, Mass., to Washington. During the 
first years of his pastorate, he and his family with the other inhabitants 
surt'ered much from cold, and sometimes for the want of the necessaries 
of life. Mr. Leslie remained in the ministry here till his death, in 1800. 
Changes in the pulpit have been very frequent since his removal. 

Washington is hilly, but not mountainous ; and the soil is deej) and 
moist. There is much meadow land and good pasturage. Abundance 
of clay is found, and peat exists in large quantities in the swamps and 
low grounds. In the north part is Lovewell's mountain, so named 
from Captain Joim Lovewell. There are no less than twenty-one 
ponds in Washington, in most of which fish are plenty. Springs 

VOL. I. 57 



(i74 HISTORY AND DESeRII>TIOX OF XEW ENGLAND. 

•and rivulets are also iiumerous, .sonic of wliicli t'uriiish good water 
power. The raising of cattle and sheep for luarkct forms an inter- 
esting item in the industrial interests of Washington. The town has 
one pleasant village; four meeting-houses — Congregational, Ba[)iist, 
Universalist, and Christian ; an academy, called the Tubbs Union 
Academy, a prosperous institution, with a fund of 81, -300; eleven 
school districts, with the same number of scliools ; and two post-ollices 
— Washington and Kast Washington: also, one establishment l\)r 
making cartl-boards, one for wash-boards, tiiree for bobbins, and one 
for ox-yt)kcs ; one woollen factory, several stores, and one hotel. Pop- 
ulatit)n, 1,053 ; valuation, §397,037. 

Waterville, in the eastern part of Grafton county, in the White 
Mountain district, sixty miles from Concord, was originally known as 
the Gillis and Foss Grant, having been granted June 29, 1819, to 
Josiah Gillis, Moses Foss, Jr., and others. The settlement was com- 
menced, about 1820, by Foss. The name Waterville was given to it, 
on its incorporation, July 1, 1829. Mountains and rocks obstruct the 
view in almost every direction, and give a wild and inhospitable 
aspect to the town, while the land is covered with an almost unbroken 
forest. The lovers of the ^and and sitblime here have an opportunity 
to enjoy rich scenery. Mad and Swift rivers water the town, and 
swarm with trotit. There are two ponds, one school district, and twelve 
legal voters. Population, 42 ; valuation, 824.524. 

Weare, on the northern line of Hillsborough county, fourteen miles 
from Concord, was granted, September 20, 1749, to Ichabod Robie, by 
the Masonian proprietors, and was called Halestown. Emigi-ants from 
Massachusetts, and the easterly part of New Hampshire, began the 
settlement. The charter conferring corporate privileges was passed 
September 21, 1764 ; the name being given to it in honor of Meshech 
Weare, the first president of New Hampshire. The first church formed 
was of the Baptist denomination, January 26, 1783. Rev. Amos Wo()(l 
was the first minister, having been ordained November 19, 17S8. 

Weare is sLx miles square, and has a broken, but not mountainous, 
surface. There are a few swamps and some good meadow land. 
Scarcely a portion of the town remains unimjjroved. There are three 
inconsiderable eminences, called IMoiuit AVilliam, Rattlesnake hill, and 
Mount Misery. The north branch of the Piscataqttog river waters 
Weare on the western boundary, and has a circtiitous course through 
the north and east sections, passing out on the southern side of the 
town. There are three considerable ponds, known as jNIotint William, 



NEW HAMPSniRE TOWN OF ROCHESTER. 675 

Ferrins, and Dufk ; and fivt> villages, the Centre, Clinton Grove, 
North Weare, East Weare, and Oil Mill. There are seven clmrch 
edifices — two Friends, three Free-will Baptist, one Baptist, and one 
Universalist ; one aeailcniy; twenty-one school districts, with the same 
luimber of schools; and live post-oflices — Weare, East Weare, North 
Weare, South Weare, and Oil Mill : also, one cotton mill, one woollen 
mill, one blind and sash factory, twelve saw-mills, three grist-mills, two 
machine-shops, and three wheelwright shops. Qnite an extensive 
business is carried on in the manufacture of shoes. Population, 
2,4o-3; valuation, •S786,4-")7. 

Wextwortii, lying in the central part of Grafton county, lifry-six 
miles from Concord, was granted November 1, 176(5, to sixty proprie- 
tors, anumg whom was John Page. Most of these resided in Kingston, 
East Kingston, Danville, South Hampton, Seabrook, and Salisbury, 
Mass. It received its name from Benning Wentworth, governor 
of the province of New Hampshire when under British rule, and was 
incorporated and settled the same year, a Mr. Smith being the first 
settler. The first child was born in 1771, and the first framed house 
erected in 1772. Many of the first settlers came from Massachusetts. 
There are various religious denominations here, none having the su- 
premacy. 

The principal stream is Baker's river, which rises in the mountains in 
Warren and Benton, and empties into the Pemigewasset at Plymouth. 
On both sides of this river are fine interval lands, affording excellent 
scope for agricultural development. This river supplies many good 
mill jjrivileges, having a fall of twenty feet. Of the country contiguous 
to this river, a correspondent writes : — "This river, in its ceaseless mean- 
derings ; the beautiful meadows on its banks; the uplands, gracefully 
sloping from the borders of the interval to the mountain sides; the un- 
broken mountain chain on either side; the great variety of moitntain 
tops, now higher, now lower, now covered with a luxuriant growtli of 
forest trees, now a barren ledge; the well-cultivated farms all along the 
river bottoms and on the hill and mountain sides, having good, and, in 
numerous instances, neat and tasteful, dwellings ; the fields, now yielding 
their generous burdens to the scythe and cradle, or promising a rich au- 
tumnal harvest, to repay the toils of the husbandman, — all present to 
the eye of the traveller, uji and down the valley of thi^ Baker (a dis- 
tance of twenty-five miles), a view delightful and exhilarating." 

Ot these beauties of landscape, Wentworth has a, more than ordinary 
share. A portion of Carr's mountain lies in the east part, and in thi' 
western part is a portion of Cuba mountain, the former containing a 



676 HISTORY AND KE-SCRII'TIOX OK iJEW ENGLAND. 

fine quality of gmiiiti-, ami ihe latter laxf^o qnantitirs of ihe best liiiie- 
f^toiie. Iron ore also t-xists in various localities. Tlie village is built on 
a tongue of land, forin(>il by the union of Mill river and Balvcfs brook ; 
and, with its large and rather antique niceting-house, the hotel, the 
academy, several stores and shops, numerotis neat cottages, .several 
large dwellings, and the ornanientiil tuid fruit-trees which are seen here 
and there, presents a very pretty sight, and indicates a good degree of 
prosperity. 

On the fhh of August, 1856, a destructive freshet occtirred in this 
town, which caused damage to the amount of §20,000. It was verv 
violeiu in its operations, destroying not only the buildings, but under- 
mining their very foundations from twelve to twenty feet. The oviijin 
of the freshet was in two ponds in (^rford, one of which emptied into 
Bakers river in this town, and whose outlets had been dammed so as 
to rtiise their waters over an extensive surface to the depth of eight feet. 
It rained two days, during which water fell to the depth of nine and 
one t\\"eirtli inches, swelling the waters of these ponds so that the dams 
were swept away, when the waters poured, for three miles, with fury, 
down a stce]i, rocky channel, coming, in their destructive course, 
within half a ujile of this village, where they met with an obstruction 
in a saw-mill, the entire granite foundations of which were swept 
away, and the mill left almost worthless. Again let free, the waters 
continued their course, destroying part of the highway from Wentworth 
to Orford, sweeping away dwelling-houses, mills, their machinery and 
dams, barns, and sheds, — dashing every thing to pieces, "like crushed 
egg-shells," and hurrying them down the channel of the river, made 
new for rittite a distance by the violence of the waters. The river has 
been widened nearly ninety feet by the force of the current, and ;i spring 
of water, which su|)plie(l the village, has been cntirelv swept away, 
leaving not even a trace of its t)rigin. Xothing now can be seen \\ here, 
two years since, was the most active part of the village, but a deep 
excavation, with no trace of the numeroits Imildings once standinir. 
while the vast timount of earth carried away by the flood was con- 
veyed into the fine interval below, ov^erspreading the surface, and de- 
stroying the value of the extensive grounds it covers.^ 

' It is wortliy of remark, that, nortli of tlio d.im .nml of the ground on whicli tlio road 
was built, the waters swept away earth about twenty feet deep, and fift}- or more feit 
vfide. In the removal of this earth, the granite rock, over the south part of whidi 
the stream in its former channel south of the grist-mill was wont to pass down a de(li\- 
itv' of thirty feet, was laid entirely bare for nearly seventy feet north, showing indubita- 
ble proof that it had been washed by the falling stream for miknown ages before the 
earth just removed aueumulated on it. The rock thus laitl bare has a surface as smooth 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF WESTMORELAND. G77 

There are cloven school districts and one post-ofllce : also, the Went- 
worth Lumber Company, incorporated in 185(3, for the purpose of car- 
rying on the manui'actorc of lumber in all its branches; nine saw-mills 
and three grist-mills. The principal articles of export are lumber, wood, 
bark, coal, and farm produce. The Boston, Concord, and Montreal 
Railroad ])asses diagonally through Wentworth, from southeast to 
northwest. Population, 1,197 ; valuation, $374,108. 

Westmoreland, in the western part of Cheshire county, lies on the 
Connecticut river, sixty-five miles from Concord, and was granted Ijy 
Massachusetts, under the name of Number 2. It was subseciuently 
called Great Meadow, which \vas changed on the incorporation of the 
town by New Hampshire, February 11, 1752. In 1741, the first settle- 
ment was begun by four families. Mrs. Lydia How, the mother of the 
first child born here, was one of the earliest inhabitants. The Indians 
visited the s(;ttlement several times, but their depredations were not 
very extensive. In one of their excursions, however, they killed Wil- 
liam Phijjs, and at another time took Nehemiah How prisoner, and car- 
ried him to Canada. The first religious society organized was of the 
Congregational denomination, November 7, 1764. Rev. William (Jod- 
dard, ordained the same day, and dismissed August 7, 1765, was the 
first minister. Rev. Allan Pratt was ordained as pastor, Octoljcr 6, 
1790, and served the people until the year 1827, during the latter part 
of which he was pastor of a church formed from the old society, but 
which reunited with it immediately after his dismission. 

The surface is varied, and the soil excellent for agricultural pursuits. 
There are several tracts of rich interval on the Connecticut. Water is 
supplied by several small streams, which empty into the Connecticut, the 
largest of which flows from Spaflbrd's lake in Chesterfield, furnishing 
some superior water privileges. Several mineral substances prevail 
here. There are three villages — Westmoreland, East Westmoreland, 
and Westmoreland Hill; four church edifices — two Congregational, 
one Universalist, and one Union ; thirteen school districts ; and three 
pt)st-offices — Westmoreland, East Westmoreland, and Westmoreland 
De]3ot : also, several grist-mills and saw-mills, a carding-machine, and 
one carriage factory. The Cheshire Railroad passes through the north- 
east corner. Population, 1,(578 ; valuation, •'§588,330. 

and as white, as full of grooves and hollows, made b)- the longn'ontinued action of water, 
as the portion of the same rock over which the waste water of the stream flowed pre- 
viously to the disaster. 

57* 



678 HISTORY AND DESritlPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

Whitefield, ill the soutlnvt-stcni part of Coos county, 120 iiiilos from 
Concord, was granted to Josiah Moody and others, July 4, 1774, soon 
after which it was settled by Major Burns and others. It has increased 
in population very rapidly: in 1810 there were but fifty-one inhabitants, 
and in 1850 there were 857. A Congregational church was formed 
here in 1826, consisting of six members. Rev. William Hutchinson 
labored here in 1830, and continued about five years. There has never 
been any permanently settled minister. Whitefield has agricultural 
advantages of a good order, the soil being easy of cultivation. In the 
north part, a portion of the land is swampy. Pine timber was very 
abundant on the first settlement of the town, and some of it still re- 
mains. John's river passes through Whitefield, and ])arts of Blake's, 
Long, Round, and Little River ponds lie here. There are some well- 
cultivated farms, giving evidence that the people are skilled in agricul- 
ture. There are two religious societies — Congregational and Metli- 
odist; nine school districts, and one post-ofiice : also, two saw-mills, 
and one grist-mill. Valuation, 6263,532. 

White Mountains. — The whole range of mountains in northern 
New Hampshire properly comes under this appellation ; but it is 
technically applied to the more lofty eminences situated in the south- 
easterly part of Coos county, which are some fifteen or twenty miles 
in length and eight wide at the base of the mountains, the latitude of 
Mount Washington, the highest summit, being 44° 16' 34" north, and 
the longitttde 74° 20' west. The principal mouiitaiii n-gion embraces 
the territory of ungranted lands, wiiich is nearly in the form of one 
upright oblong rectangle, surmounted l)y another laid horizontally, the 
former being some eighteen miles long, and the latter about twenty, 
and reaching to the boundary of Maine. In addition to this tract, lofty 
mountains extend over country embracing the towns of Chatham, 
Conway, Bartlett, Albany, and Waterville, on the (\ist and south ; the 
towns of Bethlehem, Franconia, Lincoln, Benton, and Woodstock, on 
the west; and Carroll, Randolph, Gorhain, and Shelburne, on the iiortli ; 
all of which make an area of about forty miles square. The range 
again crops out less prominently twenty miles to the northward, from 
Stratford to tiie northern boundary of the state. These mountains are 
the highest east of the Mississippi, and are observed from vessels ap- 
proaching the coast, in a clear atmosphere, as the first land; but, from 
their white ap])earance, are frequently mistaken for clouds. They are 
visible by land upon the soutii and east sides for eighty miles, and are 
•said to be seen from the neighborhood of Chambly upon the northwest, 
and Quebec nimn the north. The Indian name, says Belknap, was 



NEW HAMl'SlIIllE WHITE iMOLINTAINS. 679 

Agiocochook. President Aldea says they were ealled by one of rlie 
eastern tribes Waumbelcketinethna ; and still other tribes, it is said, 
applied the term " Kan Ran Vugarty," the continued likeness of a gull, 
— all referring to their white appearance. 

From a comparison of authorities, it would appear that ihe first 
European who paid his respects to the White Mountains in person was 
" Darby Field, an Irishman, living about Pascataquack," who was one 
of the earliest members of the church at Exeter. This visit was made 
in 1642, 1 in the early part of summer. Of the nature of Field's obser- 
vations, Winthrop has given a grajiliic account.^ His enthusiastic rc- 



• '• rK'lkua]) lias ci-roncously (N. 11. I. 22-24) made Noal, ' in company witli Josselyn 
anil Darby Field,' in 1 G32, the discoverer.^ ; and magnified his error by this note : — ' Mi-. 
Hnbbard, and, after him. Governor Hutchinson, place this di.scovcry of the White Hills 
in 1642. But, as Neal had positive orders to discover the lakes, and tarried but three 
vcars in the country, employing a great part of his time in searching the woods, it is prob- 
able that Jlr. Hubbard mistook one figure in his date.' Here, as he has often done else- 
where, Hubbard might indeed have mistaken a figure, but he faithfully copied Winthrop, 
whose work was unknown, except in manuscript, to Dr. Belknap, when the first volume 
of his history of New Hampshire was published. A greater mistidce is, however, charge- 
able on Belknap, in making Josselyn the companion of Neal, who was gone home four 
years before Josselyn came over. Nor did Josselyn make the journey, according to his 
own account, before his second voyage to New England, in l(iC3. That Neal ever went 
to the Wliite Mountains is not rendered probable by any authorities cited by Belknap ; 
and, as the circumstance would have been for him a gn-at matter of boasting, we may be 
confident of the priority of Field, as in the te.xt abo\e. The great lake of Iroquois, 
which the grandson of Sir F. Gorges writes about as aaccrtained by Neal to be ninety or 
a hundred miles by land from Pascataquack settlement, was, I am satisfied, the Winnijiise- 
ogee. Distances were always magnified in the wilderness; and poor Neal was lost in 
the woods not far from home, ' when the discovery wanted but one day's journc}' of being 
finished.'" — Winihrop's Ilkt. New Enfjlun<l, cd. by James Savage, ii. p. 80, note 3. 

" The visit of Darby Field to the 'White Mountains should be placed under this year 
[1C42]. The i<ea.ion of the year when this visit was made is determined by the following 
note among the chronological items in the Rev. Samuel Danforth's Almanac for 1G4 7 : 
' 1642, (4) [i. e. June]. The first discovery of the great mountaine (called the Christall 
Hills) to the N. W. by Darby FiiihV " — Belhiaps Nem Hrimp., Farmer's ed., i. p. ;il, 
note. 

- " Accompanied by two Indians, he went to the top of the white hill. He made his 
journey in eighteen days. His relation at his return was, that it was about one hundred 
miles from Saco ; that, after forty miles of travel, he did, for the most part, ascend ; and, 
within twelve miles of the top, was neither tree nor grass, but low savins, which they 
went upon the top of sometimes, but a continual ascent upon rocks, on a ridge Ix'tween 
two valleys filled with snow, out of which came two branches of Saco river, which met 
at the foot of the hill, where was an Indian town of some two hundred people. .Some of 
them accompanied him within eight miles of the top, but din-st go no further, telling 
him that no Indian ever dared to go higher, and that he would die if he went. So they 
staid there till his return, and his two Indians took courage by his example, and went 



680 IirSTORV AND DESCRIPTION" OF NEW ENGLAND. 

port upon his return kindled up the adventurous spirit within Gorges and 
Vines, two of tlie magistrates of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, who went, later 
in the same year, up the Saco in canoes to " Pegwagget" (Fryeburg), 
and thence to the top of Mount Washington, as may be inferred from 
Winthrop's description.^ They were gone fifteen days. Henry Josselyn, 
steward of Mason, was certainly too much occupied to malve sucli a 
tour, until long after 1632. Whether any race of men inhabited this 
part of our continent anterior to the copper-skinned children of tlic 
forests, is still among the things unknown. Aside from this question, 
Darby Field may be deemed to have been the first who ever reached 
the summit of the highest mountain ; for the Indians regarded it as the 
sanctum sanctorum of the Storm Spirit. Awed by superstitious fear, the 
terrific thunders of these lofty crags were to them the voice of God, and 
the blinding lightnings were the Hashes, sometimes of anger, sometimes 
of omnipotence, which only read to them, " Approach not! " To 

" The poor Indian, ■whose untutored min<l 
Sees God in clouds, and hears him in the wind," 

these sights and sounds had no double meaning. The ascent they 
deemed not only perilous, but impossible. There, once, were only ihe 
"foot-prints of the Creator;" which, still plainly visible, the white man 
has attempted to cover with his imprint ; but which a thousand years 
of human power and skill will be utterly unable to obliterate. 

The time when these stupendous jiiles of rocks were thrown up bv 

with him. They went divei-s times thvovish tlie thick clouds for a good space, and within 
tbnr miles of the top they had no clouds, but very cold. By the way, among the rock^. 
there were two ponds, one a blackish water, and the other reddish. The top of all was 
plain about sixty feet square. On the north side there was such a precipice, as tiny 
could scarce discern to tlie bottom. They had neither cloud nor wind on the top, and 
moderate heat. All the country about him seemed a level, except here and there a hill 
rising above the rest, but far beneath them. lie saw to the north a great water, which 
he judged to be about one hundred miles broad, but could see no land beyond it. Tlu- 
sea by Saco seemed as if it had been within twenty miles. He saw also a sea to the 
eastward, which lie judged to be the gulf of Canada ; he saw some great waters, in parts, 
to the westward, which he judged to be the great lake Canada river comes out of" 
Savaire says these " great waters " were probably fog banks. '■ lie iiiund there imu h 
muscovv class; thev could ri\e out jiieces forty feet long and seven or eight broad. 
When he came back to the Indians, he found them drying themselves by the fire, (iir 
they had a great tempest of wind and rain. About a month after, he went again, with 
five or six in his conipanv ; then they had some wind on the top, and some clouds abo\ e 
them, which hid the sun. They brought some stones, which they supposed had been 
diamonds, but they were most erj-stal." — Winlhrop, vol il. pp. 81, 82. 
' AVinthro]), Js'cw England, vol. ii. p. 107. 



NEW HAMPSIIIllE WHITE MOUNTAINS. 6^*1 

the convulsive effort of a subterranean agency is veiled in total <>!)- 
scurity; but, from all appearances, so far as a geological opinion can 
be formed, it dates as far back as the old Silurian epoch.i Every thing 
about tills region bears the impress of great antiquity, no organic 
remains of any period being found here. The secondary and tertiary 
formations an.' entirely wanting, and the dril't, even at tiie base, lies 
in immediate connection with tiu' primary roclis ; but, at a disTanee of 
twenty miles on each side, may be found deposits of the secondary 
formation. 

Dr. Jackson^ speaks of the Wjiite Mountains as ''the centre of a most 
interesting geological section." He says: " If a measure is applied to a 
correct map of the Northern and Middle states, taking the White 
Mountains for a centre, and measuring southwest and northeast, it will 
be noticed that the secondary rocks are nearly equidistant from this 
centre of elevation on each side of the axis, and the beds and included 
fossils will correspond in a remarkable manner, indicating that, when 
the strata were horizontal, they formed a continuous deposit, effected 
under nearly the same conditions. If we estimate the strata of Ver- 
mont and Maine as horizontal, by imagining the primary rocks which 
separate them to be removed, and the lines of stratification brought to 
coincide in direction, it is evident that the whole of New England 
would be regarded as sunk far below the level of the ocean, and a 
space would still remain between the ends of the strata, where the 
primary rocks had been removed. Now, since the strata were formed 
when the present rocks were beneath the sea, we may suppose the 
whole of the primary unstratified rocks to have been below the strat- 
ified deposits, and, by a sudden outburst and elevation, to have been 
more or less broken up, altered in composition, and included between 
masses of the molten gneiss and granite." 

The geological features of Mount Washington possess but little 
interest, the rocks in this place consisting of a coarse variety of mica 
slate passing into gneiss, which contains a few crystals of black tour- 
maline and quartz. The cone of the mountain and its summit are 
covered with myriads of angular and flat blocks and slabs of mica slate, 
piled in confusion one upon the other. They are identical in nature 

' Sir Charles Lycl! (Travels in the Unitcfl States, second visit, vol. I., p. ■.■!) ex- 
presses the opinion, that the upheaval of the White Mountains is of a much more reeeiit 
date than even the coal-measures; but the entire absence of all secondary formations 
leads to the conclusion above stated. The denuding; power of oceanic currents, ajn-at 
as it may be, it seems to us, could not have washed out every trace of fossil-bearing strata, 
if such had ever been formed here, 

^ Geoloiy of New Hampshire, pp. 78, 164. 



682 HISTORY AM) DESCIUPTIUN OF NEW ENGLAND. 

with the rocks in place, and bear no marks of transportation or abrasion 
by the action of water. On ilie declivity of the cone occurs a vein of 
milky and rose-colored quartz, but it is not sufficiently high colored lo 
form elegant specimens. 

If it is asked, Of what is the formation throtighout this moxintain re- 
gion ? the answer is, " granite." Whatever else may enter into its com- 
position, whetiier gneiss, mica slate, quartz, or tournudine, — and one or 
other of these is generally found in greater or less proportion, — the 
granite of '"the eternal hills" is present, too abundant, at least, to 
induce the belief that these hills will vanish, until at the voice of llitii 
who called them forth. 

Scarcely any two observers have agreed in their estimates of the 
heights of the principal mountains. Some of the former estimates were 
very wild. Dr. Williams supposed the height of Mount Washington lo 
be 7,800 feet above the sea; Dr. Cutter, 10,000 feet; and Dr. Belknap 
supposed it to exceed even that. The greater part of the estimates, 
made mostly by barometric observation, have ranged from 6,500 to 
6,300 feet. Late reliable observations by George P. Bond, Esq., of Cam- 
bridge, by means of the barometer, aided by the theodolite, have given 
the following results: — In the central cluster, Mount Webster 4,000 
feet; Willey" Mountain 4,400; .lackson 4,100; Clinton 4,200 ; Pleasant 
4,800; Franklin 4,900; Monroe 5,400; Clay 5,400; Madison 5.400; 
Adams 5,700; Jefferson 5,800; Washington 6,285; or, in round num- 
bers, 6,300, — 500 feet above the tallest of his fellows. On the east side 
of Peabody river is Mount Moriah, 4,700, and the Carter Mountain, 
4,900 feet. To the south is Mount Carrigain, the principal eminence 
of which is 4,800 feet; to the southwest the Twin mountains, 5,000 
and 4,700 feet ; further west the Franconia range, varying from 4,500 
to 5,000 ; Mount Lafayette, or the Great Haystack, 5,200, and Mount 
Kinsman, 4,100 feet. There arc several other peaks, ranging from 3,000 
to 4,000 feet. Professor Arnold Guyot, now of Princeton, has also 
made some exact measurements of Ihe relative heights of diflerent points 
in this region, not confined to mountains. 

To describe particularly all these localities would be unnecessary 
repetition, however full of interest each point may be. There are, 
however, many jilaces and objects of generally acknowledged impor- 
tance to the traveller. It is first proposed to refer to the persons by 
whose adventurous spirit, seconded by heroic deeds, these places 
became comfortable and inviting to strangers, and the means used to 
effect so praiseworthy an object. In the next place, it is proposed to 
mention the principal courses of travel, with their attractive places and 
objects. 



NEW IIAMrSIIIRE WHITE MOUXTAINS. 6S3 

Timotliy Nash and Bonjaiiiiii Sawyer made the first practical use oi' 
the discovery of the pass tlirough the Notch, although it was previously 
known to the Indians, who took their captives this way to Canada. 
What has been called Nash and Sawyer's Local ion — a tract of 'J, 184 
acres above the Notch, skirting the higher nunuitains ou the west — was 
granted to fheni, in 1773, for tiieir labor and expense in exploring this 
route. Ca|)tain Eleazar Rt)sel)rook, born in (irafton, Mass., in 1717, 
a hardy young man, with a spirit not to l>e confined within the pale 
of artificial society, at twenty-live married Hannah Ilawes, — eniigratcd 
to Lancaster, and remained for a short pcrioil, — w<'nt next to Monadnuc, 
now Colebrook, then thirty miles from any inhaliitant (the only path to 
his cabin being followed by s|)otted trees), — endured here the many 
trials of pioneer life, and joined the Revolutionarv army; and, while yet 
engaged in the public service, removi'd to Cbiildhall, Vt., where he 
became pi)ssessor of a fine farm ; luially, in 179:2, came into Nash 
and Sawyer's Location, and, instead of the small, deserted log cabin 
already here which he entered, he soon erected a large two-story 
dwelling-house, at the spot called the Giant's Grave, since known as 
the Mount Washington House, or Fabyan's. His nearest neighbor 
was " old Abel Crawford," twelve miles further down the valley, and 
eight miles below the Notch. He had in his wife ' a fit counterpart of 
himself, — strong, resolute, and fully adecjuatc to the dangers and 
emergencies of a life in the wilderness. 

Captain Rosebrook built here large barns, sheds, a saw-mill and 
grist-mill, annually redeemed many acres from the forests, and made 
them very productive. In 1817, he died of a cancer, and left his 
estate to Ethan Allen Crawford, who had removed from his home, 
where now stands the " old Crawford House," at the age of nineteen, and 
had resided with and taken care of Mr. Rosebrook for several years 
l)efore his death. Ethan was a man of iron frairie and will, and was 
familiarly known as tlie " Giant of the hills." Often has he taken the 

' It is told of lier, that, while at Guildhall, during the absence of her husband, she was 
ol'icn calleil upon by the Indians, to whom their house was ever open. On one occasion, 
many Indians, with a large supply of '■ uncupy," or ardent spirits, suddenly came to their 
cabin, near night. !Mrs. Rosebrook received them kindly, and gave them permission to 
remain ; but soon perceived that they had imbibed too freely of the commodity which 
ihey carried. Late in the evening they became rude and boisterous; but she, deter- 
mined upon being mistress of her own house, ordered the whole tribe out of doors. All 
I'cluctantly obeyed with the exception of one squaw, wlio commenced a trial of strength 
with the good lady. Seizing this reprobate by the hair, Mrs. Rosebrook drao'r'ed her to 
the door, and thrust her out. As she fastened the door upon the savages, a tomahawk, 
thrown by this squaw, cut off the wooden latch upon which her hand was placed. The 
squaw, however, the ue.xt day sought Mrs. Rosebrook and entreated forgiveness. 



tiSJ HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

oxliaur^tcd or panic-stricken traveller, not excepting the fair sex, upon 
his broad shoulders, and carried tlieni until their spirits and strength 
revived. Crawford knew no fear. Judging from the frequent encoun- 
ters which he had with bears and lynxes, they may be said to have been 
his playmates. Soon after Captain Rosebrook's death, his buildings were 
destroyed by fire. It was a great blow to him, already in debt, but his 
energy rose above the misfortune. In time he erected other buildings. 
In those days, when travellers could not approach the mountains by 
stage nearer than Conway or Fryeburg, it was no small task to reach 
and ascend the mountains. The services of both Crawfords were then 
in constant requisition. The ascent, until 1821, was made upon foot, 
under thickets, over logs and windfalls, upon the tops of the scrubby 
growth of the forest, which generally tore the garments and often the 
flesh, and sometimes left the poor pilgrim, if not sans cu/olle, certainly 
without much courage. The first bridle-path was made by Ethan A. 
Crawford in that year, from his place, up the source of the AmiTio- 
noosuc, to the foot of Mount Washington. Subsequently they were 
made from the Notch, from Old Crawford's, from the Glen, and from 
.lefTerson, all the paths upon the western side being cut by the Craw- 
fords. These men were the lights and guides of the mountains, and, 
by their amusing stories, relieved the long hours of many a weary 
traveller. Abel Crawford, the father, often styled the " patriarch of the 
mountains,"' at eighty was a stout, athletic man. He and his son 
Ethan built "the Crawford House," at the head of the Notch, which 
was kept for many years by Thomas ,1. Cniwl'onl, one of the sons. 
At seventy-tive, he rode the first horse to the top of Mount Wash- 
ington. For the last five or six years of his life he represented the 
eight voters in his own (Hart's) location, and the few in Nash and 
Sawyer's Location, and Carroll. None of his sons were less than six 
fe(>t in height. Erastus, the eldest, was six feet six inches; and Ethan 
nearly seven feet. 

There are a variety of pheasant, and expeditions routes to the monn- 
taius from the great cities of the land. They are approached, upon the 
west, from New York, or any intermediate points, by following the 
railroads u}) the Connecticut valley. The distance from New York to 
the Profile House is 332 miles ; 337 miles to the Flume House ; and 
344 to the Crawford or Notch House. The time need not vary essen- 
tially from New York by way of Boston, as travel is performed in the 
night. The principal routes from Boston are by way of Portland and 
the Grand Trunk Railway to (.Torham and the Glen House, 206 miles; 
i)y the Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad to Plymouth, thence 
i>y stage to the Flume House, 148 miles ; or, leaving this railroad at 



NEW HAMPSHIRE WHITE iMOUNTAINS. 68o 

lake AViiuicpesankee, by a short trip across the lake to Centre Harbor. 
anJ by stage to Conway and to tlie Notch, KiS niilc^s ; or by tiie 
Boston and Maine and C\)checho railroads to Alton Bay, thence by 
steamer the length of lake Winnepesaukee, thirty miles, to Centre 
Harbor, and from there as above indicated, making 180 miles to the 
same point. From Montreal and Quebec, the routes approach as near 
the foot of the mountains. These are the principal thoroughfares, 
although the routes may vary at intermediate points to sitit the con- 
venience or i)leasure of the traveller. But they all result in three ways. 
By the north, the visitor comes by the railroad to the very foot, and 
within eight miles of Mount Washington. By the west, within twenty- 
ihree miles of the Notch; and by the south to lake Winnepesaukee, 
and the remainder of the route, fifty-four miles, by stage. Each route 
has its peculiar beauties, with which, it is suggested, the traveller may 
become the more familiar if he will seat himself on the box with the 
driver, upon the longest stage route. 

In passing from Conway u\) the valley of the Saco, the traveller has 
the principal range before him, and is gradually prepared for some of 
the details. It is about eight miles to Bartlett, thence about the same 
distance to the Old Crawford House, in ^vhi^■h part of the way is 
jiassed the Silver spring, Sawyer's rock, Hart's ledge, and Nancy's 
brook (opposite the Old Crawford), connected with the last of which 
is the sad tale of unrerjuited love. Six miles off, in the woods, is Bemis 
))ond, somewhat famed of old for its noble trout. Mount Washington 
may be ascended from Old Crawford's over Mount Crawford. Six 
miles on, the Willey House, two miles below the gate of the Notch, is 
reached. The ])asser-l(y, hemmed in by the narrow defile, looks upward 
two thousand feet, and not tmfrequently experiences, in addition to the 
gloomy associations of the fatal spot, apprehensions for his own safety. 
Here hang the same threatening crags and rocks, — here remain the 
marks of the avalanche, made on the night of the 28th of August, 182(), 
which consigned to a living bttrial the family of Samuel Willey, .Ir., — 
father, mother, five children, and two liiri'i] men. The bodies of all Ijut 
three of the children were recovered, and deposited near the homestead 
of the senior Willey, at the boundary between Conway and Bartlett. 
That wild night is still remembered with terror by those who experi- 
enced its effects in other parts of the mountain glens, — the fitful raoan- 
ings of the gale, th(^ rushing torrents of rain in the darkness, the deafening 
crash of the thunderbolt, and the constant fall of rocks loosened from 
the heights, crushing the mighty pines and birches in their headlong 
career down the mountain steeps, and heard for many miles down the 
valley. The old man Crawford used to relate, that the Saco rose, as it 

VOL. I. -38 



686 



IIISTOKY AXD DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 



were, at a bound, to the level of his house, twenty or thirty feet from its 
ordinary bed, and even flooded his lower floors to the depth of a foot or 
more, but retired almost as suddenly. 




Notch of the White Mountains soon after the slide. 



A most thrilling narrative of the events of that night, and of the pruh- 
able scene, has been given by Rev. Benjamin G. Willey, brother of the 
ill-fated man.' Additions have been made to the Willey House, and if 
is still kept to jierpetuate a melancholy fact, where also the trav- 
eller, in exchange for the purchase of a glass of lemonade, may be poiiitcil 
to the marks and remains of the catastrophe. The mountain gorge 
extends for nearly three miles, skirted and overhung with the grandest 
scenery. About a half mile below the gate of the Notch, on the soui h 
side, a beautiful fall, called the Silver Cascade, comes leaping down the 
rocks and fissures, from about eight hundred feet above the adjacent 
valley, a distance of two miles. The volume of water is not large ; but 
at times, especially after a shower, the immberless changes in the form 
and a])pearance of the little rill, — now trenuilous and glittering in the 
sunbeams, now disapjiearing behind a crag, or losing itself in the siini- 



Incidents in AYhitt' Mountain Scenery, p]v. 115-14G. 



NEW UAMPSIURE — WHITE MOUNTAINS. 



687 



;-^i^%^%l,|^ ^1 ^ ,|_ 



i\M 



osities of its course, now struggling on amid broken rocks, now dasliing 
over an abrupt i)recipice and scattering its drops like quicksilver upon 
the bed of quartz below, 
in a moment again 
gathering them up and 
gliding noiselessly on 
for some distance o\ei 
the smooth floor, then 
making another detom 
by the irregular pio- 
jections of rock, ne\r 
issuing in a do/eii 
streamlets, to meet 
again and fall quietly 
into some pool, anon 
lost in a thicket, then 
emerging to make the 
passage of anothei 
steep, bringing up ui 
some basin, from wluth ^^^ 
it s]iring3 and huuies 
on as if impatient ot 
obstruction, — dashmg, 
foaming, gurgling, glid- 
ing, sparkling, throw ing 
u|i spray, and repeating 
its jollities, till its iatal 
li'up into the Sato, 
wiiere its identity is foi- 
ever lost, — all render 
ii one of the most beau- 
tiful cascades in the 
world. Further down ^^! 
is a second cascade, 
called the Flume, fall- 
ing 2')0 feet over three 
precipices, — in a Mn- 
gli' current over the 
two first, and in thiee 
streamlets over the 

third, all lieiiig reunited in a small basin at the bottom. Approaching 
the gate of the Notch, — which is formed of two perpendicular walls, 




Silver Ciacadc 



68S HISTORY AXD DESCRIPTIOX OF XEW ENGLAND. 

fifry feet liigli and twenty-two feet apart, Mount Webster stands with 
shaggy front upon the right, and Mount Willard upon the left, opposite 
the cascade, with a deep, dark ravine at its base. Near its top is the 
moutli of a large, unexplored cavern, called the " Devil's Den." Having 
jjassed the gate, the Crawford, the largest house in the mountain 
region, stands in full view. From this place is the principal i-oute 
of ascent to Mount Washington, upon the south and west sides of tiie 
mountains. The traveller is now in the valley of the Ammonoosuc, the 
lower falls being about a half mile off. The two upper falls, about four 
miles distant, are reached by a romantic bridle path. The Ammo- 
noosuc is the wildest, most rapid and violent river in New Hampshire. 
It falls nearly five thousand feet from its source on the mountain to 
where it enters the Connecticut. The whole distance of thirty miles is 
over rough, craggy rocks, and down steep, perpendicular precipices. 
Four miles further is the Ethan A. Crawford place (more recently 
Fabyan's, and the Mount Washington House). This was destroyed by 
fire, a second time, in 1853, and has not yet been rebuilt. Near the site 
of the iiouse is a long, narrow heap of earth fifty feet high, called the 
Giant's Grave. A half mile on is the White Mountain House, which 
has in a measure taken the place of Fabyan's. Twenty miles to the 
west, the Franconia Notch, Mount Lafayette, and, with the Old Man 
and Echo Lake, the Flume, and other interesting objects, are reached, a 
brief notice of which has been given in coimectiun with the towns 
embracing thejii.^ 

To transfer the traveller to the north side of the mountains, he alights 
at the Alpine House, in Gorham, and proceeds by stage eight miles tip 
the Peabody river valley to the Glen House, in a location formerly 
known by the name of Bellows Farm. Here he is at the northeasterly 
base of Mount Washington, less than five miles from the summit. On 
his way, and about a mile and a half below the Glen, he passes the 
Imp mountain, from which the projections in the rock somewhat resem- 
ble the " Old Man" at Franconia. The best jxiint of view is obtained 
from the westerly side of the Peabody river, in the afternoon. After 
leaving the Glen House, the road makes the circuit of the mountains, 
through Jackson and Bartlett, round to Crawford's, and so on through 
the valley of the Ammonoosuc ; or, to the right, over Cherry mountain, 
and through Jefferson, Kilkenny, and Randolph. The distance from the 
(ilen House to Crawford's is about thirty miles. On the eastern side 
of the mountains is Tuckerman's ravine, a deep chasm extending south- 
ward along the high spur from Mount Washington, with high, })erpeii- 

' Sec articles on Franconia and Lincoln, ante, jip. i06, 5ji 



NEW IIAMPSIIIUE WHITE MOUNTAINS. 



689 



(licular walls, in many ]>lacos wholly inaccessiblp. The Pnows, r-worping 
down from Monnt Washington, liU it to the dcpih of liundird.^ of feet. 
A small stream runs through its whole length. Back from \hc CJlcn is 
the Carter range of mountains, the principal summit rising to a hiight 
of 4,900 feet. In the Glen valley is the water-shed, the Peabody run- 
ning nortiiward into the Androscoggin, and the Ellis river southward 
to the Saco. Near this point, three miles south of the (Tien, Crystal 
stream eoines foaming down most roaiantieally and noisily over the 
rocks, having its rise 
ill a spring three or foui 
hundred yards south- 
erly from the top ol 
jMount Washington. 
This stream was exploi- 
ed in the year 1852, be- 
fore which its existence 
and beauties seem to 
have been unrevealed 
to travellers. Itscouisi 
is through shatteied 
rocks and the tangled 
thickets, over shehmij 
precipices and through 
the bottom of a yawn- 
ing chasm, ha\m^ 
many beautiful cas- 
cades in a descent ot 
some four thousand 
ll'ct, till it reaches a 
rent in the ragged bluff, 
apparently made for its 
escape, where it makes 
several slides from shelf 
to shelf, and a longer 
leap into the basin be- 
low, the whole descent 
at this ]ioint bemg 

about eighty feet. These playful waters have not inaptly been termed 
the Crystal Falls. The whole distance of the stream is about five 
miles. About three miles above this cascade, and a mile from its 
rise, lies, in a most secluded spot, enfolded with spruce and other 
58* 




try tal lallt 



690 



}II.<TORY AXD DESCRII'TION OF NEW EXGLAXD. 



trees of tlic woods, a small, glassy sheet of water, called by tourists Her- 
mit lake. The enchanting varieties of the whole stream are almost 
innumerable, and trebly repay an excursion down its rude bed. About 
a mile further down the road to Jackson, on the east side, some forty 
rods off, another wild cataract pitches over the sides of a deeji ravine 

into Ellis river, much 
^- ".i 'l^'^V"'- :''r- *; resembling the Crystal 

I Cascade, but less bro- 

ken in its descent. It is 
It tched through hoarv, 
moss-bearded woods, 
% bv overleaping anil 
1 iwling under the fal- 
n giants of ihe for- 
^ I ^-t, whose solitudes 
"* (\.i reverberate the 
uid ot Its waters. 
Ill water falls, in an 
unbioken mass, a dis- 
tance of seventy feet ; 
but. owing to a bulge 
m the rock, twists to 
the left, so as to malie 
almost a complete turn 
biloie it reaches the 
ckep basin in which it 
1 lost below. Trees 
and shrubs climb tlie 
mui ll clif;"s wiierever 
tht \ can get a footliold ; 
and from its summit, 
m>--teriously clinging 
to the fissures of the 
rock, shoots a tall liem- 
lock, of nearly a hundred feet, far over the abyss. The basin below looks 
like a deep w(-ll amid the hills, open only on one side. Here, too, tlie 
whirling water has worn siuall cavities in the solid roclc. The place 
was formerly called Pitcher falls; but, since 1S.")2, has borne the name 
of Gleu Ellis. A very full and interesting description of these localities 
on the easterly side of the mountains is contained in the " Gtiide-Book 
to the White Mountains and Montreal," published in 18-Jo. 

Travellers usnallv make the ascent to the summit of IMouiit Wash- 




Glen EUi3 FaU. 



NEW HAMPSHIRK — WUITE MOUNTAINS. 691 

iagtou upon the side whicli tliey first reach, some passing over, and 
some returning from, the suunnit, and making the circuit of the moun- 
tains. The greater part of the travel is from the Glen House and 
Crawford's, on quite opposite sides. 

The principal bridle-path of those upon the south and wi'st sidc^s is 
from Crawford's, a distance of ncady eight miles over mounis Clinton. 
Pleasant, Franklin, and Monroe-. The first one or two miles is thmni^li 
the thick forest of birch, beech, spruce, fir, and mountain ash. Formerly. 
u]> about 1,600 feet was a camp large enough to shchcr six or seven 
persons, where the night was often passed. The trees now have a 
more dwarfed appearance. Going on about three fourths of a uiile, 
tiie traveller is upon the mossy summit of Mount Clinton, in a region 
sparsely overspread with cranberries, whortleberries, and a stunted 
growth of evergreens and white biri'ii. Here a single step will carry 
one over an entire living tree, which has perhaps been gi'owing, without 
increasing much in size, for ages. From this bald sunnuit to the base 
of Mount Pleasant, the w^ay is somewhat encumbered by a forest ; and 
several deep ravines occur, which are, however, generally spanned l)y 
'' corduroy " bridges. Mount Pleasant, or Dome luountain, known by 
its conical shape, is easily ascended. Its top — an area of five or six 
acres — is cjuite smooth, and is covered with grass four or five inciies 
high, through which mountain flowers are scattereii. The descent 
from Mount Pleasant, at first quite gradual, terminates almost perpen- 
dicularly at Red pond, a little patch of water two or three rods in 
diameter, bordered upon all sides by a long, reddish moss. It has, in the 
dry season, no outlet, which fact gives the water, although quite clear, 
an unpleasant taste. The top of Franklin, rather more level than 
Pleasant, is easily gained. Between this and Monroe the way is over 
a narrow ridge of three or four rods wide, froiu which start, upon the 
west, tributaries of the Connecticut, and, upon the east, waters which 
find the Atlantic upon the coast of Maine. The view here is one of 
the most awful and sublime in all mountain scenery. Down the 
fearful steeps, for thousands of feet, the traveller sees the bottom of 
Oakes's Gulf upon the east, and the surpassingly beautiful vale of the 
Ammonoosuc upon the west. He can pass between the rugged pin- 
nacles of Monroe, or over the eastern summit, the latter giving the best 
view. There is a narrow place in the path, where a single misstep of 
the horse would be almost certain destruction. Frona Monroe a con- 
siderable descent brings one to Blue pond, more recently called the Lake 
of the Clouds, which is of an oval form, and covers more than three 
fourths of an acre. The water is perfectly transparent, cool, and agree- 
able to the taste, but so deep that the bottom cannot be seen in the 



r)9r2 )II,STOEY AXD DESCRIPTION OF XEW EXdLAXU. 

centre from the shore. Xo living creature is to be seen in tlie waters 
at this altitude, nor any vegetable in or around them. And now conies 
the last stage of the journey, more than 1,200 feet up the majestic dome 
of Mount Washington, principally over moss-grown and naked, loose, 
blocks of granite infused with quartz and gneiss, which would be not a 
little formidable if the larger stones had not been removed from or 
beaten up in the pathway. By climbing up straight, by twisting ri^rlif 
and twisting left, by hitching forward a little faster than slipping baclv- 
ward, this most ragged and abrupt part of the way is finally left behinil. 
and the pilgrim stands nearer the sun than anywhere east of the Rocky 
Mountains. 

The way from tiie Glen is shorter and steeper, — being about four 
and a half miles, which is usually gone over in four hours. CrossinLT 
Peabody river, the path leads directly into a second growth, and 
presently into thick woods, which continue fully half way up. Tlie 
man on foot will not fail to encounter roots, stumps, and bushes enough, 
while he who rides will have no lack of motion in the climbing ami 
slumping of his steed in the deep trench worn out by horses' feet. 
Steep ridges, precipitous crags, deep ravines, and rushing torrents, arc 
to be met and passed. Emerging from the woods, on a high blnlV. 
the traveller can see down an immen.se depth upon the north the great 
gulf, whose fearful precipices have rarely, if ever, been descended. 
The green forest is succeeded by blanched and blasted trees, whose 
leafless and almost branchless trunks often lead the traveller to suppose 
them wasted by fire. The fierce winds and weather have rendered them 
perfectly white. It has been supposed that the cold seasons whicli 
prevailed from 1812 to the end of 1816, in the last of which the trees 
may have remained frozen the whole year, caused their death. This 
region being passed, the way is mostly over moss-covered rock, but 
little of the way, however, of a gentle slope. Clouds and mists now 
often cross the path, and he who has tugged up thus far on foot, with 
blood at fever heat and coats in hand, may now reckon upon putting 
them on again, and buttoning them up to his chin. Nothing else is 
noteworthy till the summit is reached. The description of this path 
has not yet gone into the history of the past ; although it has bem 
supposed by many that the old poetic and oriental mode of ascent, on 
foot or itpon horse, in single column up the narrow bridle-path would, 
ere this, have made way for a new mode of locomotion. Certain 
persons having conceived the practicability of a carriage road in 1S-')'S. 
a l\Ir. D. O. Macomber and others were incorporated as the Mount 
Washington Road Company, with a capital, which, in 1856, was lim- 
ited to 8100,000, with authority to construct a road from "the Peabody 



NEW HAMPSHIRE WHITE MOUXTAIXS. 693 

river valley to the top of Mount Wat^hiiigton, and thence to some point 
on the northwesterly side of said mountain, between the Notch of the 
White Mountains in Crawford's Grant, and the Cherry Mountain ; " 
and to take tolls of passengers, provision being first made for the set- 
tlement of damages with owners. The contemplated length for the 
road was eight miles. It was to be fifteen feet wide, with the outer 
edge the highest, and protected by strong walls ; to be macadamized 
in the best manner, and upon a rising grade of one foot to eight and a 
half linear feet, with level spots at various points of interest. The 
omnibuses were to hold twelve persons (each with a separate seat) ; 
and, for the comfort of passengers, to be adjusted with a screw to 
elevate the rear end in ascending, and the forepart in descending, so as 
to give the vehicle a horizontal position. A conveyance or lease of the 
road-bed for the term of its charter has been made to tlie company by 
claimants of the Pinkham Grant, and a mortgage back to the claimants 
of the right and improvements of the road. The work at present is not 
progressing. If it shall ever be completed, it will justly deserve to be 
regarded as one of the greatest achievements of skill and enterprise ever 
driven up hill. Intended as a climax to the work, the Mount Wash- 
ington Sunmiit Hotel Company was chartered in 1S-j-j, with a capital 
of $100,000, with power to construct or purchase one or more hotels 
on the summit; but little progress, however, towards the project of 
building a spacious iiotel has been made. 

It recpiired, however, no little courage and labor to erect the two 
comfortable habitations now standing there, known by the names of 
Summit House and " Tip Top," the latter standing but a few feet 
above the other. The former was built by Joseph S. Hall and Mr. 
Rosebrook, two men whose intimate acquaintance with the route as 
guides, and whose strength and intrepidity, well fitted them for the 
herculean task. The work was commenced on the first day of June, 
and they sat down to dinner in the house on the 25th of July, 1852. 
The structure is of the solid rock, blasted and piled up four feet thick, 
cemented and covered with a wooden roof forty feet long and 
twenty-two wide. Every stone had to be raised to its place by mus- 
cular strength; every rafter, board, shingle, and nail had to be carried 
up on the back of man or horse. A horse could carry up four boards 
(about sixty square feet), once a day. No one went without somethino-, 
— a chair, or door, piece of crockery, or some provisions. Mr. Rose- 
brook, who was a young giant, carried up, at one time, a door of the 
usual length, three feet wide and three and one half inches thick tea 
pounds of pork, and one gallon of molasses. The walls were raised 
eight feet high, and the roof fastened on by heavy iron bolts, over which 



694 



HISTORY AXD DE.-C1UPTI0\ OF XEW ENGLAND. 



strong cables wen- passed, and attaclied to the solid rock of the niouii- 
taiii. But two or tliri'i' hours' \v<.)rk could be pertbnncd eatli dav, on 
Recount of the severity of the winils and mists at the top, whiih would 
often incvust the men in ice, and compel them to llee to their tenqjorary 
retreat about half-way down the mountain. ]n this way the whole 
day was often lost in travelling back and forth, — the clear sunshine 
above inviting them up, but the liekl vi' op<'raiions often being envel- 
ojK'd in stormy clouds before they could reach it. The inside of the 




T I nf Mt AV h Dgton 

house had only curtained apartments. A table was set of sufficient 
capacity for thirty or forty persons, a cooking stove at the end. a small 
kitchen and a row of beds, each curtained off, completing the arrange- 
ment. The "Tip Top" was erected afterwards with a flat roof, and 
imbedded so far into the rocks that their rortgh, projecting points served 
for ste]3s by which to mount the roof for observation, one or two good 
telescopes generally standing there for that piir|50se. 

And now the traveller certainly finds a new application of the oft 
ipioted line. 



■ 'T is distance lends cnoliantment to the view." 



NEW HAMPSHIRE WHITE MOUNTAINS. 695 

He has made a wearisome, pilgrimage up from the dull world, with 
its commonplace scenes, to gaze upon them with new eyes, to see in 
the vales and hills, woods and waters, new beauties. The eye takes in 
the vast panorama for 150 miles around. The other summits pnsrnt 
themselves around like yeomen of the guard. On the north and north- 
east, Jefferson, Madison, and Clay rise up boldly with their ragged tops 
of loose, dark rocks, and Adams, with its sharper pinnacle, — seemingly 
intimating, across the immense unexplored gulfs between them and 
Mount Washington, the respect they bear to the monarch of the hills. 
A little further to the east are the numerous elevations of Maine, settling 
down into level plain as they retire from the view ; on the east an<l 
south, close at hand. Mount Moriah, the Carter range, the sharp eoiie 
of Kearsarge sru'mounted with its public-house, Choeorna, Carrigain, 
and the lesser mountains of Conway, Jackst)n, Barllett, and Albany, 
and the noble summits directly upon the southwest, in so ckise ])rox- 
imity that they seem but the staircase from Mount Washington to the 
world beneath; also, to the east of Oakes's Gulf, directly opposite 
Monroe, an eminence of 5,400 feet, without a name, but certainly de- 
serving one ; on the west, the Franconia range, particularly the high, 
bald summit of Lafayette, with the broad rents down to its base caused 
by slides, looking at that distance like a carriage road to its top. Init 
said to bo a fourth of a mile wide. On tlie east and south again, lakes 
and ponds appear like white figures in the great carpet of natnre, at 
times, however, scarcely distinguishable from the milky vapors floating 
above them. Lakes Sebago and Winncpesaukee are kings -among 
tliem. The silvery threads of the Androscoggin and Saco, wliieh per- 
haps, at the start, run down two sides of the same rock and make olf 
in opposite directions as though they had fallen out with each other, 
are seen winding off till lost behind the distant liills. The nearer 
habitations of men are seen, but the remote view is only of bhie liills 
and valleys. Westwardly, with a glass, the eye can follow the straight 
road to Bethlehem, flanked by its farms and cottagi's for fifteen or 
twenty miles. Far beyond glide the waters of the broad Connecticut ; 
and still beyond, like another line of battlements to guard the great 
valley between, the Green Mountains. 

But often the prospect is veiled from the beholder Ijy the jiassing 
cloud, — sometimes momentary, sometimes so thick and quick in 
succession that but a feeble view is obtained. The clear days of the 
season are comparatively few. To the great throng who visit the 
summit, the "sight of shijis in Portland harl)or" is only in story. The 
clear sunrise out of the oi-ean bed is reserved ior the lucky. Never- 
theless, evervbody who reposes over night on the sunnnit is expected 



696 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW EXGI^VND. 

to emerge froin liis bed at the time wlieii that august ceremony sliould 
come o(T. 

Having feasted the eyes with the distant view, the visitor begins to 
inspect his immediate surroundings. To tiie common observer, even the 
very iiuge pile of rocks will appear sublime. He is completely cut oti" 
from the living world ; except flies, grasshoppers, and an occasional but- 
terlly, no animals venture here. As respects the vegetable world, aside 
from a kind of grass and a few mosses, eternal sterility reigns. Here 
the naturalist will find more to interest than the mere sight-seer. Among 
the Alpine plants found upon the bald cone are the Menziesia canilea, 
RliotlodenJrvn Lappoiiicnm or Lapland rose-bay, Diapensia Lapjjoiiica, 
Azalcii prociimbcns, and Lycojiodiinn Selagv. Among the lichens are 
the Parmelia coilrifuga, common in Sweden, of a greenish white color, 
the Parmelia stijg-ia, Parmelia occiilata, Parmelia ventosa, and Cetraria 
Islaficlica, or Iceland moss.i All these are natives of Arctic climes, — such 
as Labrador, La|)land, Greenland, and Siberia, — and are protected from 
extreme cold under a great depth of snow : lliey shoot up very cpiickly 
after it first melts, and run through their whole course of vegetation in 
a few weeks, irrigated by clouds and mist. How they originally found 
their wav lo this summit has been a subject of speculation, to some 
extent, — not very important jjcrhaps, as the solution would settle no 
mooted point in geology. Here the savans dilVer, — some alleging, 
with Professor Agassiz, the creation of a great number of individuals of 
each s])ecies, in l)oth the animal and vegetable kingdoms, in difierent 
parts of the earth; others, that each species had a common or specific 
centre, and was gradually extended over the earth. Mr. Lyell thinks 
that the sporules, answering to seeds, of cryptogaiiious plants, such as 
fungi, lichens, and mosses, may have bi'en wafted for indefinite distances 
— even thousands of miles — in the air; that the seeds of the phtenoga- 
mous plants may have been first brought by animals crossing the ice, or 
by icebergs, and li'ft upon these mountains when they were islands, and 
lliat, as the continent formed and these eminences increased in height, 
the plants gradually sought a cooler temperature higher up on their 
summits. 

' A long list of the [ilants foimil upon tlio uppor zone of Mount 'Wasliington is ap- 
lu'iiiU-il to a (U'scription of tlio mountains, in isii;, liy Dr. Jacol) I'lijrolow of Boston, pnli- 
lislicd in the New Kngland Medical Journal, vol. v. p. 334, coutiiining, however, many 
that are not pceuliar to an Arctic or Alpine climate. This description seems to have 
been a partial guide to Sir Charles Lyell, in his account of his tour to the White Jloini- 
tains (Travels in the United States — sm"/</ m(V — vol. i. pp. 00-72), in which he al-o 
mentions some of the Alpine plants observed by him. See also a paper by the late Mv. 
Oakes, in Ilovey's :\lagazine of Horticulture and Botany, vol. xui., IMay, 1847; and two 
articles by Professor Edward Tuckerinan, in Silliman's American Jourual of Scienie and 
Arts, vol. XLV. and vol. vi., new series. 



NEW HAJIPSHIllE TOWN OF WILMOT. 697 

The season for whiuh these heights may be enjoyed is quite short. 
The snow seldom leaves tliem before the middle of May — often later 
— and their wet state, and the ehilliness of the atmosphere, render 
tliem unfit for ascending until June. The travel is eiiiefly confined 
to the months of July ajid August, scarcely extending at all beyond 
the tenth of Se])fember. Even during this period thev are often vis- 
ited by (hu'ries of snow. Generally, iiowcver, the temperature is cjuih' 
uniform, so much so that a residence here during the summer months 
lias been recommended as highly conducive to health. 

But here this article should find a period; for any attempt truthfully 
to present the enchanting panorama to the mind of a man at his fireside 
nmst be unavailing, while to him who lias seen, it will siu'ely be super- 
/luous. lie who is already on the spot will feast his eyes again and 
again on what no pen can teach. And it will not now he deemed any 
discourtesy to leave him there to fill his soul, and find his way i^ack, to 
breathe upon a languid world so.me of the purer atmospiierc of love. 

'• It'tlioii nrt worn ami liard bosct 
With sorrows, that thou woiililst forset; 
It" thou wouldst read a lesson, that will keep 
Tliy heart from fainting and thy soul from sleep, 
Go to the woods and liills! No tears 
Dim the sweet look that Nature wears." 

There, 

" Thy expandini heart 
Shall feel a kindred with that loftier world 
To which thou art translated, and partake 
The enlargement of thy vision." 

VViLMoT, in the northwestern corner of Merrimack county, thirty 
miles frt)m Concord, was originally included in a grant, made in 1775, 
by the Masonian proprietors, to Jonas Minot, Matthew Thornton, and 
others, and was incorporated June 18, 1807. It contains fifteen thou- 
sand acres, nine thousand of it being taken from New London, and six 
thousand from Kearsarge C4ore. The name was given in honor of Dr. 
Wilmot, an Englishman, who enjoyed the reputation for some time of 
being the author of the celebrated '■ Junius " letters. The Baptists or- 
ganized the first church in this town. A Congregational church was 
organized January 1, 1829. Wilmot's surface is rough, being composed 
of hills and valleys. Some of the land is incapable of cultivation; but 
the principal portion is suitable for farming operations. The summit of 
Kearsarge mountain lies near the southern boundary. The streams 

VOL. I. 59 



698 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

wliifh form Blackwater river originate near Wilinot, antl afford water 
power. Several minerals, such as beryls of a large size, felspar, and 
crystals of mica, are found here. Mineral teeth, of the most duraljle 
(piality, have been manufactured from the felspar. There are two vil- 
lages — Wilmot Centre and Wilinot Flat; three church edifices, open 
to all denominations; thirteen school districts ; and two post-olTices — 
Wilmot and "Wilmot Flat: also, one small woollen factory, a large 
tannerv, and four saw-mills. I'ojiulation, 1,272 ; valuation, $282,600. 

Wilton, Hillsborough counlv, adjoins L\n(lcl)orough on the north, 
and is forty miles from Concord. It was granted to Samuel King and 
others in June, 1735, by the Massachusetts General Court, in considera- 
tion "of their sufferings " in the expedition to Canada. The first settle- 
ment was made in June, 1739, by Ephraim and Jacob Putnam and 
John Dale, wiio removed to this place from Danvers, Mass. Some of 
the settlers who afterwards moved in were Scotch ; but they gradually 
gave place to the Puritan stock from Massachusetts. Wilton was 
owned by the proprietors of lands purchased of John Tufton Mason, 
and was incorporated June 25, 1762. Before the Revolution, a range 
of lots half a mile wide was set off to Temple, leaving the town of its 
present form and size, containing 15,280 acres. 

Improvements of all kinds were gradual, the first settlers going to 
Dunstable to mill, and the roads being little more 1ha)i footpaths. For 
a long time there were apprehensions of danger from the Indians; but 
there is no evidence that the town was ever molested, though the inhab- 
itants sought protection in the garrisons in Milford and Lyndeborougli, 
at times for ten years, when danger was anticipated. There was noth- 
ing peculiar in the history of Wilton during the Revolution. Like other 
New England towns, it endured deprivations and shared losses of sub- 
stance and of men. The requisitions made on the town during the 
war were invariably complied with by prom|)t and voluntary enlist- 
ments. It is stated that in one case the demand came on Sunday, antl 
the men started for the camp on Monday. Nearly the whole population 
turned out to meet Burgoyne, and many were with Stark at Benning- 
ton. The first church, a Congregational, was organized December 14, 
1763, the first minister, Mr. Jonathan Livermorc, being ordained the 
.same day. A Baptist church was formed April 7, 1817. 

The surface of Wilton is generally uneven and rocky, but not 
mountainous. The soil is strong and productive, containing a large 
amount of nutritive matter. Good brick clay is abundant, and there 
are several valuable quarries of granite, which are extensively wrought. 
The Souhegan river is the principal stream, the water power on which 



NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN OF WINCHESTER. 699 

is occupied by mills and factories. The town contains four religious 
societies — two Congregational, one Baptist, and one Universalist ; ten 
school districts and school-houses ; five libraries, one belonging to the 
town, and the others to the various religious societies ; and two post- 
offices — Wilton and West Wilton: also, eight saw-niills, five grist-mills, 
three tanneries, one bobbin factory, and one starch factory. Population, 
1,161 ; valuation, 8002,799. 

Winchester, Cheshire, county, in the southwest corner of the state, 
sixty miles from Concord, was first called Arlington, and was settled, 
about 1783, by families from Northfield, Ijunenburg, and other towns 
in Massachusetts. It was granted, in 1733, by the general court of 
Massachusetts, to Josiah Willard and sixty-three others, and was to be 
" a tract of land sLx miles square, on the east side of Connecticut river, 
between Northfield and the Truck House," but is said to contain 
upwards of 33,000 acres. A meeting-house was erected in 1735, at 
the "Bow" of the Ashuelot river, on a hill, which was subsequently 
called "Meeting-house hill:" besides this, private buildings were 
erected, and other improvements made, all which were destroyed by 
the Indians in 1745, and the settlement broken up. On the adjustment 
of the boundary line between Massachusetts and New Hampshire, it 
was found that Winchester was within the bounds of the latter, and a 
new grant was made to the former proprietors, by New Hampshire, 
July 2, 1753. In 1756, Josiah Foster and family were captured here 
by the Indians. About one hundred acres of land were detached 
from Richmond and added to this town, July 2, 1850. A Congre- 
gational church was organized November 21, 1736, over which Rev. 
Joseph Ashley was settled the same day, continuing with the church 
till the inhabitants were scattered l»y the Indians. A new house of 
worship was erected in 1760, on the site of the old one. Rev. Micali 
Lawrence was ordained as minister, Nt)venibcr 14, 1764, being dis- 
. missed February 19, 1777, on account of his '■ unfrienilliness to his 
country." A number of ministers have olliciated in the town since his 
time. 

The surface of Winchester is very level in some parts, and in others 
quite uneven; but the soil is generally good. Ashuelot river, whicli 
enters the town on the northeast, and receives the waters of Muddy 
and Broad brooks, possesses water power not inferior to any in the 
county. IIumi)hrey's pond, three hundred rods long and eighty wide, 
lies in the northeast. There is much timber of a valuable quality yet 
to be cleared. There are three villages — Central, Ashuelot, and Tur- 
nersville, all of which are pleasantly situated on Ashuelot river, and 



700 HISTORY AND PESCIIIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND. 

bid fair, from tlieir advantageous situation, to be manufacturing jilaccs 
of no mean order. Tliere are tliree cliurch edifices — Congregational, 
Methodist, and Universalist ; twenty-one school districts; one banl<, 
with a capital of 8100.000 ; and two post-offices — Winchester and West 
Winchester : also, two woollen factories, three tub and pail factories, one 
sash, blind, and door factory, two saw-mills, one linseed oil manufactory, 
and nine stores. The Ashuelot Railroad affords facilities for transporta- 
tion and travel. Population, 3,296 ; valuation, $831,232. 

WiNDiiAJi, Rockingham county, adjoins Londonderry and Derry, 
f.nd is thirtv-four miles from Concord. It composed a part of the 
territory of autient Londonderry till the year 1742, when it received a 
distinct incorporation. In 1750, a considerable tract of land was taken 
from the southeasterly part of Windham, and annexed to Salrm. It 
now comprises 15,744 acres. The inhabitants of Windham are mostly 
the descendants of the first settlers of Londonderry. There was 
preaching here as early as July, 1742. The first church was of the Pres- 
l)yterian order, and the first minister Rev. William Johnson. A meeting- 
house was erected in 1754. One of the ministers of this church was 
Rev. Simon Williams, a native of Ireland, ordained in December, 1766. 
He was an eminent classical scholar, and opened a private academy, in 
which many distinguished men were educated, among whom were 
Joseph McKeen, first president of Bowdoin College, and Samuel Tag- 
gart, the eminent citizen and divine of Colcrainc, Mass. This school 
was conuiieneed before Dartmouth College was founded. Mr. Wil- 
liams's ministry continued till his death, November 10, 1793, a period of 
tliirtv-seven years. 

There is considerable meadow land here, and the soil is generally 
good. In Windham there are traces of what geologists have called the 
ell'eet of the great tidal current, in an immense granite boulder, twenty 
feet in height — its sides measuring sixteen or eighteen feet — which is 
situati'd on one of the most lofty eminences, on the outcropping surface 
of a ledge of mica slate, and which appears to have been worn liy the 
grinding action of pebbles and ra))idly flowing water. Policy, Cabofs, 
(iolden, and MiteheH's ponds are the principal collections of water, 
and Beaver river is the only stream of not(\ Windham contains three 
villages — Windham, West Windhaui, and I'^essenden's Mill ; one 
church edifice (Presbyterian), and one now used as a town-house; one 
woollen factory ; seven school districts, three of \\ liii h have a jierma- 
nent fund of $1,000; and three post-otfices, one at each of the villages. 
The Concord, IManchester, and Lawrence Railroad connects with 
Windham. Population, 818 ; valuation, $325,362. 



NEW HAiMPSHIRE TOWN OP WINDSOR, ETC. 701 

Windsor, a small, triangular-shaped town in the western part of 
Hillsborough county, thirty miles from Concord, was first called Camp- 
bell's Gore, and was incorporated December 27, 1798. John Gordon, 
John Roach, Josiah Swett, Joseph Chapman, David Perkins, and 
Daniel Gibson were among the earliest settlers. The surface of the 
town is hilly, but its soil is strong, and adapted to the production of the 
usual crops. There are three ponds — one called White, being about 
160 rods long and eighty wide, and the others 'about eighty rods long 
and forty wide. Windsor has one church edifice — Methodist ; and 
four school districts : also, two saw-mills and two shingle mills. Pop- 
ulation, 172 ; valuation, $77,672. 

WoLFBOROUGH, in the southern part of Carroll county, forty-five 
miles from Concord, has an area of six miles square. It was granted 
to Governor John Wentworth, Mark H. Wcntworth, and others, in 
1770, and was settled by thirty families the same year. Among 
the first inhabitants were James Lucas, Joseph Lary, Benjamin Blake, 
Ithamav FuUerton, from Pembroke; Thomas Taylor and Thomas 
Piper, from Gilmanton ; and Samiicl Tibbets, from Rochester, each 
of whom had set off to him one hundred and fifty acres. The last 
survivor of these pioneers was Benjamin Blake, who died February 12, 
1824, aged ninety-three, and had been a soldier in the French and 
Revolutionary wars. The present charter of Wolfborough was trans- 
ferred by Mark H. Wentworth and twenty others to Governor Went- 
worth and fourteen others, the grantees reserving to themselves about 
a quarter part of the land, including one lot of tliree hundred acres for 
the first settled minister, one lot for a parsonage, and a third for the 
support of schools. Governor Wentworth was a man of taste and 
enterprise, and erected a magnificent mansion here, which ln^ used as 
his summer residence. It was consumed by .fire about tliirty years 
since. A Congregational church was formed October 25, 1792. Rev. 
Ebenezer Allen was the first minister, and died of a)wplexy, on the 
Sabbath, July, 1806, after preaching that day. This church afterwards 
became extinct, and a new one was formed June 17, ISo-f. A second 
was organized in North Wolfborough, June 18, 1839. The Baptists and 
the Christians had previously formed churches in this part of the town. 
Alton gave this town a portion of her territory, June 27, 1849. 

The face of Wolfborough is uneven, and the soil, though rocky, is 
productive. Smith's river, the only stream in town, Hows from a 
small pond of the same name in the southeast part, discharging its 
waters into lake Winnepesaukee. Besides the pond already mentioned, 
there are four others — Crooked, Rust's, Beach and Sargenfs. Near 
59* 



702 



inSTOIlY AND DK.SCRIPTION OF NEW EN(!LAND. 



one of lliosp ]ioii(ls is a spring, the waters of which are said to possess 
some nieclieinal (jualities. There are four small villages — Smith's 
Bridge (situated near wliere tlie briilge crosses Smith's river), South 
Wolfborough, North Wolfborougli, and Wt)lf borough Centre, each of 




wliicii has a post-oflice. The view here given is of the village first 
named, \\hich is the principal one in town. It is siruated U])on both sides 
of Smith's )K)nd and its outlet into tlie lake, which is just out of the 
view upon the left. There are six church edifices — two Congregational, 
one Christian, one Baj)tist, one Methodist, and two Union; an acad- 
emy, with funds to the amount of $!o,000; and fifteen school districts : 
also, a woollen blanket factory, employing twenty-five hands ; four shoe 
factories, cmjiloying forty workmen ; three tanneries, a saw-mill, grist- 
mill, shingle mill, savings institution, and bank with a capital of 875,000. 
Population, 3,038 ; valuation, ^()(j;j,18'2. 



Woodstock, near the centre of Grafton county, sixty-two miles from 
Concord, was granted, September 23, 1763, to Eli Demerritt, under the 
name of Peeling, which was subse([uently changed to Fairfield, and 
again to Peeling: this name was altered to the present one in 1840. 
The settlement was commenced by John Riant and others about the 
year 1773. Among the names of the early settlers were Lindsay, 



NEW IIAMPSIIIRE TOWN OF WOODSTOCK. 703 

Osgood, Barron, Russel, and Bickford. The Baptists and Free-will 
Baptists are the prevailing denominations. 

The surface of Woodstock is varied, — being somewhat mountain- 
ous. The eastern part is intersected by the Pemigewasset river, the 
three brandies of wiiieli form a junction in the northern part of the 
town. Elbow pond lies near the centre, Russel's pond in the east, and 
McLellan's pond in the southeast part. Woodstock is noted for its 
beautiful mountain scenery. In the southwest is Cushnian's mountain, 
in the northwest Black mountain, and in the west Blue mountain, 
which are of considerable height, and, with the other features of the 
landscape, present a grand and picturesque appearance. There is a 
beautiful cascade in Moosilauke brook, the waters of which pass 
noiselessly over a rocky bed smooth as glass, or fall over a precipice a 
distance of two hundred feet. Near the road to Franconia is the 
Grafton Mineral Spring, much resorted to fur its curative properties. 
Near the base of one of the mountains is a ran^ natural cviriosity, called 
the Ice House, which runs imderground a number of feet, and is ca- 
pable of holding three hundred people. It is divided into several com- 
partments, the sides and partition-walls being of a granitic formation. 
Ice exists here during the whole summer season; hence the name 
which has been given to it. 

The town contains three church edifices — Baptist, Free-will Baptist, 
and Second Advent ; three school districts, with six schools ; and one 
post-office. A corporation, called the Merrimac River Lumbering 
Company, has been formed, employing about 150 men in cutting 
lumber during the winter season, which is transported during the spring 
freshets down the Pemigewasset to Lowell ; besides which there are six 
saw, shingle, and clapboard mills, two grist-mills, one large tannery, and 
two stores. Population, 418; valuation, §127,300. 





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lis 


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llllfl^.l 

llilirll 


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►-s K f-s 


tS 


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Elect. 
Vote, 




1840-1. 

Martin Van Buren 32,670 

Wm U. Harrison 26,431 

Scattering 1,753 


i 


John W. Weeks, 
Stephen Pcrley, 
Samuel Hatch", 
Andrew Pierce, Jr., 
John Scott, 
Francis Holbrook, 
Samuel Burns. 










^ 


183G-7. 

Martin Van Bcren 18,699 

Wm. H. Harrison 6,228 

Scattering 708 


t^ 


Jonathan Harvev, 
Isaac Waldron, ' 
Tristram Shaw, 
Stephen Gale, 
Josiah Russell, 
G. Gilmore, 
Ebenezer Carleton. 


1856-7. 

John C. Fremont 37 ,.591 
James Bcchanan 31,891 
Millard Fillmore 409 


•1 


i^ 


Wm. II. II. r.ailer, 
Th.jmas L. Whitton, 
Daniel Clark, 
Tliomas M. Ivlwards, 
Johu U. White. 


Elect. 
Vote. 






o 








1832-3. 

Andrew Jackson 26,269 

J. Q. ADAMa 19,027 

Scattering 1,394 


e| 


Benjamin Pierce, 
Phineas Parkhurst, 
Samuel Collins, 
John Taylor, 
John Holbrook, 
Joseph Weeks, 
Moses White. 


1852-3. 

Franklin Pierce 28,884 
WiNFiELD Scott 15,540 
JoiiN P. Hale 0,568 


S 

1 
1 


5 


Henry Hubbard, 
Samuel Jones, 
Jabez A. DoukUiss, 
Samuel Webster, 
Nathaniel B. Baker. 


Elect. 
8 


^ 








1828-9. 

J. Q. Adams 24,124 

Andrew Jackson 20,922 

Scattering 1,249 


1 
1 


George Sullivan, 
Samuel Quarles, 
Samuel Sparhawk, 
AVilliam ISixby, 
Nuhiim Parker, 
Tliomas Woolson, 
Ezra Bartlett, 
William Lovejoy. 


1848-9. 

Lewis Cass 27,762 
Zachart Tailor 14,789 
Martin Van Bdeen 7.559 


o 




Samuel Tilton, 
Jesse Bowers, 
Joseph H. Smith, 
Jonathan Eastman, 
Richard H. Ayer, 
Simon Warren. 



"A ^ 



(706) 



706 



NEWSPAPERS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



NEWSPAPERS EN THE STATE. 

American Ballot, Exeter, weekly, Thomas J. Whittem, editor and publisher, SI. 50 a year. 
Cheshire Republican, Kecnc, weekly, Horatio Kimball, editor and publisher, SI. 25 a year. 
Congregational Journal, Concord, weekly, B. W. Sanborn, publisher, $1.50 a year. 
Coos County Democrat and Kortheru Press, North Stratford, weekly, published by Chas. D. 

Johnson & Co., SI. 00 a year. 
Coos Republican, Lancaster, weekly, Bowe & Allison, $1.50 a year. 
Daily American, Manchester, Goodale & Farnsworth, publishei^, S3.00 a year. 
Democratic Republican, ll.iverhill, weekly, by H. W. Reding, SI. 25 a year. 
Democratic StamlarJ, Concord, weekly, John B. Palmer, editor and publisher, S1.50 a year. 
Dollar Weekly .Mirror, Mmchester. John B. Clark, $1.00 a year. 
Dover Emiuirer, weekly, George Wadleigh, 81.25 a year. 
Dover Gazette and Strafford Advertiser, Dover, weekly, Joshua L. Foster, editor, Foster & 

Hill-, publishers, $1.25 a year. 
Dover Sentinel, weekly, Jolin T. Gibbs & Co., editors, $1.25 a year. 
E.xeter News Letter, weekly, Samuel H.ill, publisher, $2.00 a year. 

Farmer's Cabinet, Amherst, weekly, E. D. Boynton, editor and proprietor, $1.50 a year. 
Granite State Free Press, Lebanon, weekly, Geo. S. Towle, editor and proprietor, SI. 50 a year. 
Great Falls Advertiser, weekly, G. H. & S. E. Tworably, editors and proprietors, $1.50 a year. 
Independent Democrat, Concord, weekly, Fogg & Hadley, editors and pubUshers, SI. 50 a year. 

Also, daily during session of Legislature. 
Manchester "D lily Mirror, John B. Clarke, editor and proprietor, S3.00 a year. 
Manchester Democrat and American, weekly, Goodale & Farnsworth, S1.25 a year. 
Manchester Republican, weekly, B. F. Stanton & Co., SI. 50 a year. 
Milford Republican, weekly, F. N. Boutwell, editor and proprietor, SI. 00 a year. 
Morning Chronicle, Portsmouth, daily, Frank W. Miller, publisher, $4.00 a year; weekly, SI. 00. 
Morning Star, Dover, weekly, Wm. Burr, editor, SI. 50 a, year. 
Nashua Gazette, weekly, B. B. and F. P. Whittemore, SI. 50 a year. 
National Eagle, Claremont, weekly, John S. Walker, editor and proprietor, SI. 50 a year. 
New Hampshire Argus and Spectator, Newport, weekly, Carleton & Harvey, S1.25'a year. 
New Hampshire Democrat, Laconia, weekly, S. C. Baldwin, editor and publisher, SI. 00 a year. 
New Hampshire Gazette, Portsmouth, weekly, Samuel Gray, editor and publisher, SI. 50 a" year. 
New Hampshire Journal of Agriculture, Manchester, weekly, AV. H. Gilmore, publisher, S1.50 

a year. 
New Hampshire Journal of Education, monthly, Henry E. Sawyer, editor, SI. 00 a year. 
New H.inipshire Patriot and State Gazette, Concord, Wm. Butterfield, editor aiid publisher, 

weekly, SI. 50 a year. Also daily, during session of the Legislature. 
New Hampshire Sentinel, Keene, weekly, Thomas Hale & Co., editors and publishers, SI. 50 a 

year. 
New Hampshire Statesman, Concord, McFarland & Jenks, weekly, $1.50 a year. Also daily, 

during session of Legislature. 
New Hampshire Telegraph, Nashua, weekly, Albin Beard, editor and proprietor, $1.50 a year. 
Northern Advocate, Claremont, weekly, J. Weber, editor and publisher, SI. 00 a vear. 
People's Journal, Littleton, weekly, H. W. Rowcll, editor and proprietoa, SI. 25 a year. 
Peterborough Transcript, weekly, 'Kendall C. Scott, editor and pubUsher, $1.00 a year. 
Portsmouth Journal, weekly, Charles W. Brewster & Son, $1,50 a rear. 
Rochester Review, weekly, "D. Warren Furber, editor and publisher, SI. 00 a rear. 
Rockingham ChroniL-le, Portsmouth, weekly, Frank W. Miller, publisher, $1.00 a year. 
The iMyT.'le, Dover, semi-monthly, Wm. BinT, 25 cts. a vear. 
Union Democrat, Manchester, weekly. James M. Campbell, SI. 50 a year. 
Wiunipisaukee Gazette, Laconia, weekly, Benj. F. Wallace, editor and proprietor, SI. 00 a year. 

SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES K CONGRESS. 



Senators. 



1843- 
lSo3- 



Athertnn, Chas. G 

Bell, James, 
Bell, Samuel, 
CiUey, Joseph, 
CKark, Daniel, 
Cutts, Charles, 
Gilman, Nicholas, 

( 1847 
Hale, John Parker, < 1S54 

(l859 



1S2.3- 
1846- 
1656- 
1810- 



■1847 

■1813 
■1814] 
-1853 
■1850 



Hill, Isaac, 


1831 


Hubbard, Henry, 


1835 


Langdon, John, 


1769 


Liverraore, S. 


1793- 


Mason, Jeremiah, 


1813 


Morrill, David L., 


1817- 


Korris, Moses, 


1849- 


Olcott, Simeon, 


1801- 


Page, John, 


1836- 


Parker, Nahum, 


1807- 


Parrott, John F., 


1819- 


Pierce, Franklin, 


1837- 


Plumer, William, 


1802- 



-1S36 
-1841 
-1801 
-1801 
-1817 
-1S23 
-1855 
-1805 
-1837 
-1810 



Sheafe, Jame«, 
Storer, Clement, 
Thompson, T. W. 
Wilcox, Leonard, 
Williams, .lared W. 
Wingate, Paine, 

Woodbury, Levi, 



ISOl- 
1S17- 
1814- 
1842- 
1854- 
1789- 
1S2.5- 
1841- 



-1819 
-1.817 
■1843 

-1793 
■1831 



Representatives. 
Atherton, Charles G. 1837- 
Atherton, Charles H. 1815- 



SEXAT0R3 AND REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS. 



707 



Barker, DnvM, 
Bartlctt, IclKibotl, 
Bartlett, Josiali, 
Bean, Benniiig M., 
Belton, Silns, 
Blaisdell, Daniel, 
Broadhead, Jolui, 
Browu, Titus, 
Buffum, Joseph, 
Burke, Edmund, 
Burns, Robert, 
Butler, Josiali, 
Carlton, Peter, 
Chamberlain, J. C, 
Chandler, Thomas, 
Oillej', Bradbury 

Clagett, Clifton, i 

Cras^in, A. II., 
Cusliman, Samuel, 
Dinsmore, Samuel, 
Durell, Daniel JI., 
]']astman, Ira A., 
Eastman, Nehcmiah, 
Edwards, Thos. JI. 
Ellis, Caleb, 
Farrington, James, 

Foster, Abicl, | 

Freeman, Jonathan, 
Oardncr, Francis, 



-1R29 

-iSL:a 

-1S1.3 



1G03- 

is-;o- 
laiD- 

ICGO- 
18:13- 
1G17- 
1S07- 
1S09- 
1S29- 
IGIO- 
U03- 
i:i7- 
ItOD- 

1811- 
1807- 
1039- 
1S25- 
1SG9- 



r.ilman, Nicholas, 
Gordon, Wilham, 
llale,Jolm Parker, 
Hale, Obcd, 



-184J 
-1S37 
-1823 
-1809 
-1811 
-1833 
-1817 

-isoj 

-1821 
-1CG9 
-1839 
-1613 
-U09 
-1843 
-1827 



, Sain 



-U03 
-ItOl 
-1S09 



Hale, William, j 

Mammons, Joseph, 

llaiiH-r, Juhu A., 
Harper, J. .soph M., 
llarvcv, Jciiatlian, 
HarveV, Mattliew, 
Haven'. Nathaniel A., 
Healv, Josepli, 
Hibb'ard, Harry 
llon!;h, David, 
Hubbard, llcnrv, 
Hunt, Samuel," 
Johnson, James II., 
Kittredgc, Geo. \\\, 
Livermore, Arthur, | 

Livermoro, .S., 
Marston, Gilnian, 
llatson, Aaron, 
Jlorriso)!, Geo. W., 
Jloulton, Mace 
Norris, Moses 
Parroit, Jolin F., 
Peaslce, Charles II., 
Pcirce, Joseph, 



1C09- 
1G25- 
1S49- 
1C0.3- 
1829- 
1C02- 
1C45- 



1C23- 
1789- 

is:9- 

1G21- 



-1813 
-181D 
-1611 



-1C31 

-ICll 
-U29 
-lt5J 
-K07 



Perkins, Jared, 
Pierce, Franklin, 
Pike, James 
Plnmer, William, Jr. 
Reding, John R., 
Shaw, Tristram, 
Sheafe, James, 
Slierburne, J. S., 
Smith, Jedediah K., 
Smith, Jeremiah, 
Smith, Samuel, 
Sprague, Peleg, 
Storcr, Clement, 
Sullivan, George, 

Tappan, Mason W., 

Tennev, Samuel, 
Thompson, T. W., 
Tnrl;. .\mos, 
1 '; li:i;n. George B., 
I j.ii ;;;,. Xathauiel, 

\Veli^ter,'Daniel, 
Weeks, John W., 
Weeks, Joseph, 
Whipple, Thomas, 
Wilcox, Jeduthan, 
Wlliams, Jared W., 
Wilson, James, 
AVilson, James, 
Wingute, Paine, 



l.'-51— IS.'iS 
1:33—1837 
1S05— 1859 
,1819—1825 
1E41— 1845 
1639-1843 
17D9— 1601 
1793—1797 
1807-1809 
1791—1797 
1B13— 1815 
17C7— 1799 
1807—1809 
1811- 1813 
l.^uj- 1659 
1C.:9— 
ICOO— ISO" 
1C05— 1807 
18<7— 1853 
1801- 1S03 
1817—1823 
1813—1817 
1C13— 1817 
1829-1833 
1C3J— 1839 
1821—1829 
131.3-1817 
1837—1841 
1809—1811 
1847—1880 
1793—1795 



PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT FROM 1C80 TO 177G. 

1680. John Cutt, appointed president by Charles II. 

1681. Richard Waldron, " " "" " " 

1682. Edward Cranfield, " " " " 
1G85. Walter Barefoot, " " " James II. 

1686. Joseph Dudley, " " " " " 

1687. Edmund Andros, " " " " " 

1689, Simon Bradstreet, governor of Jtassachusetts and New Hampshire. 

1691. Jolm Hickes, acting president under government of Massachusetts. 

1692. John Usher, appointed lieutenant-governor by William III. and Mary. 

1697. William Partridge, " " " " " " " 

1698. Samuel Allen, " governor " " " " 

1699. Richard Coote, Ear! of Bellamont, appointed governor by William III. and Man'. 

1703. Joseph Dudley, appointed governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire by Queen Anne. 

1715. George Vaughan, " lieutcnanl-governor by George I. 

1716. Samuel Shute, " governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire by George I. 

1717. John Wentworth, " lieutenant-governor by George I. 

1728. William Burnet, " governor of lUassachusetts and New Hampshire by George II. 

1730. Jonathan Belclier, " lieutenant-governor of JIass. " " " '• " 

1731. David Dunbar, " " " " New Ilarapsliire by George II. 
1741. Benning Wentworth, appointed governor " " " " " " 
1767. John Wentworth. " " " " " " " III. 

1776. January 6, to June 10, 1784. Council of twelve, of which Meshech Weare was annually 
chosen president. 



708 



GUBERNATORIAL VOTE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



GUBERNATORIAL VOTE, 1784 — 1859. 



1784. 
1785. 



JlEsnECii \yEAnE,i 

Georgs Atkinson, 
John Lasudo.x,- 
Sc.ittering, 

John Sii,liv.\n, 

John Lnngdoii, 
Scattering, 

John L.ingtlon, 
John Sillivan," 
Josiuh Bartlctt, 



2,755 
2,497 



1791. 
1792. 
1793. 



4,309 

3,OU0 

658 

4,034 

3,«42 

028 

Samuel Livcnnore, 603 

John Lanodon, 4,421 
Jolm Sullivan, 3,664 

Scattering, 753 

John Sullivan,= 3,657 

Jolm Pickering, 3,4S8 

Jo-iah liartlott, SOS 

Joshua Wcntworth, t9 

Jolm Pickering, 3,160 

Joshua Wentworth, 2,309 
Josiah Bartlett,- 1,776 
Nathaniel Peabody, 294 

Josiah RAniLETT, 8,079 
Scattering, 2SS 

Josiah Bartlett, 8,092 
Scattering, 297 

Josiah Bartlett, 7,388 
Jolm Laugdou, 1,300 

Scattering, 1,100 



1802. John T. Oilman, 10,337 
John Langdon, 8,753 
Scattering, 70 

1803. John T. Oilman, 12,263 
John Langdon, 9,011 
Scattering, 43 

1804. John T. Oilman, 12,210 



John Langdon, 

1805. John Langdon, 
John T. Oilman, 

1806. John Langdon, 

Scattering, 

1S07. John Langdon, 
Scattering, 

1808. John Langdon, 
Scattering, 



! 1820. 
1821. 
1822. 
1823. 



.loHN T. Oilman, 7,829 
Scattering, 1,100 



1794 

1795. .loH.s- T. Oilman, 9,340 

1796. 

1797. 



Scattering 



John T. Oilman, 

Scattering, 



7,809 
2,906 



John T. Oilman, 
Scattering, 

John T. Oilman, 

Oliver Peabody, 
Scattering, 



9,397 
1.189 
1,567 



1799. 
1800. 

1801. 



John T. Oilman, 10,138 

Scatteriiig, 1,590 

John T. Oilman, 10,363 

Timothy Walker, 6,039 

Scattering, 361 



16,097 
12,287 



13.91 
2,949 



12,041 
3,258 



1S09. Jeremiah Smith, 15,610 
Jolm Langdon, 15,241 
Scattering, 122 

1810. John Langdon, 16,325 
Jeremiali Smith, 15,106 
Scattering, 84 



1811. John Langdon, 
Jeremiah Smith, 
Scattering, 

1812. John T. Gilman, 
Wm. Plu.mer,^ 
Scattering, 



Sajiuel Cell, 
Scattering, 

Samlel Bell, 

Scattering, 

Samuel Bell, 

Scattering, 

Levi Woodrury, 

Samuel Dinsmoor, 
Scattering, 



1824. D. L. Morrill,* 
Levi AVoodbury, 
Scattering, 



14,477 
65 

15,013 
15,40J 

887 



1813. John T. Oilman, 18,107 
William Plumer, 17,410 
Scattering, 132 

1814. John T. Oilman, 19,695 
William Pluiuer, 18,794 
Scattering, 53 

1815. John T. Oilman, 18,357 
William Plumer, 17,799 
Scattering, 38 

1816. W'lLLIAM PLU51ER, 20,338 

James Slieafe, 17,994 

Scattering, 75 

1817. William Plumer, 19,088 
James Shcafe, 12,029 
Scattering, 4,258 

1818. William Plumer, 18,074 
Jeremiah JIason, 6,,'r50 
Sc.ittering, 5,941 

John T. Oilman, 10,898 I 1819. Samuel Bell, 13,751 

Timothy Walker, 5,249 William Hale, 8,000 

Scattering, 692 | Scattering, 1,854 



1825. 
1626. 

1827. 



D. L. JIoRRILL, 

Scattering, 

D. L. Morrill, 
Benjamin Pierce, 
Scattering, 

. Ben.j. Pierce, 
David L. .Morrill, 
Scattering, 

. John Bell, 
Benjamin Pierce, 
Scattering, 

Benj. Pierce, 
.lohn Boll, 
Scattering, 

Matt'w H.vrvey, 
Timothy Upham, 
Scattering, 

Sam'l Di ssmoor, 

Ichabod Bartlett, 
Scattering, 

Sam'l Dinsmoor, 
Arthur Livcnnore, 
Scattering, 

Sa:m'l DiNs^ioon, 
Arthur Livermore, 
Scattering, 

WiLLi.iM Badger, 

Scattering, 

William Badger, 
.Toseph Ilealey, 
Scattering, 

Isaac Hill, 

Joseph Healey, 
Scattering, 

IsA,\c Hill, 
Scatteriu'', 



22,212 
2,559 

22,582 
1,866 

22,934 
1,046 

16.985 

12,718 

240 

14,899 
11,741 
3,708 



17,578 

12,287 

386 

23,695 
2,529 
1,187 

21,149 
18,072 



22,615 
19,583 



23,214 
19,040 



23,503 

18,681 
110 



28,279 
3,959 
1,238 

28,552 
1,621 



24,904 
2,506 
3,455 

22,301 
2,171 



1 Probably elMteil by imanimous vote. Xo official ttatcment of the vote is found on record. 
- Elected by the Senate, there being no choi.'e by the people. 

s There beiiiB no chniee by the people, Plumer was elected in convention of the Senate and Iloa^c of Repre- 
sentatives, havinff a ni:i.ioritv of twenty-two votes. 

» Cho.-iea in convention of the Senati; and Hou,se of Representatives. 



r.UBERNATORIAL VOTE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



709 



1838. Isaac Hill, 2S,i;a7 
James Wilson, jr. 25,244 
Scattering, G29 

1839. John Page, 30,518 
James Wilson, jr. 23,928 
Scattering, 155 

1810. John Page, 29,521 

Enos Stevens, 20,716 

Scattering, 562 



1841. John Page, 

Enos Stevens, 
Scattering, 



29,110 

21,230 

1,343 



1842. Henry Hudbakd, 26,831 
Enos Stevens, 12,234 
Scattering, 9,039 

1843. Henry Hubbard, 23,050 
Antlionv Colbv, 12.551 
John H.'Wliite, 5,497 
Diiniel Hoit, 3,402 
Scattering, 33 

1844. John H. Steele, 25,986 
Antliony Colbv, 14,750 
Daniel Hoit, " 6,767 
John H. White, 1,988 
Scattering, 201 

1845. John H. .Steele, 23.406 
Anthonv Colby, 15,579 
Daniel 'Hoit, S,786 
Scattering, 994 



1846. 



Jared W. Williams, 26,740 
Anthony Colby,' 17,707 



Nathaniel S. Berry, 10,397 
Scattering, 568 

1847. J. W. Williams, 30,806 
Anthony Colby, 21,109 
Nathaniel S. Berry, 8,531 
Scattering, 64 

1848. J. W. Williams, 32,245 
Nath.iniei S. Berry, 28,829 
Scattering, 4G8 

1849. Sam'l Dinsmoor, 30,107 
Levi Chamberlain, ls,704 
Nathaniel S. Berry, 7,045 
Scattering, 117 

1650. Sam'l Dinsmoor, 30,751 
Levi Chamberhiin, 18,612 
Nathaniel S. Berry, 6,472 
Scattering, 54 

1851. Sam'l DiNSMOOR,= 27,425 
Thos. E. Sawver, 18,458 
John .\twood," 12,049 
Scattering, 179 

1852. Noah Martin, 30,807 
Thos. E. Sawyer, 19,850 
John Atwood, 9,479 
Scattering, 209 

1853. Noah Martin, 30.934 
James Bell, 17,590 
John H. White, 7,995 
Scattering, 47 

1854. Nath'l B. Baker, 29,788 
James Bell, 16,941 



Jared Perkins, 11,080 

Scattering, 122 



1855. Ralph Metcalf, 
Nath'l B. Baker, 
James Bell, 

Asa Fowler, 
Scattering, 

1856. Ralph Metcalf,' 
John S. Wells, 
Ichabod Goodwin, 
Scattering, 

1857. William Haile, 
John S. Wells, 
Scattering, 

1858. William Haile, 
Asa P. Ciite, 
Scattering, 

1669. Ichabod Goodwin, 
Asa P. Gate, 
Scattering, 

1660. Ichabod Goodwin, 
Asa P. Cate, 
Scattering, 



32,769 
27,065 



32,119 
32,031 
2,360 



34216 

31,214 

452 

36,215 
31,679 



36,326 
32,802 



3S,037 
33,544 



1 There being no choice by the people, Colby was elected in convention of the Legislature, having a majority of 
twenty-two votes. 

2 Dinsmoor was elected in convention of the Legislature, having a majority of four votes. 
» Elected in conventioa of the Legislature, having a majority of twenty-five votes. 



POST-OFFICES. 



The following are a few Post-Officea casually 
lished : — 
Bradford Centre, 
Ellsworth, 

Franconia, Profile House, 
Hooksett, Rowe's Corner, 
Hopkinton, West, 
Kingston, East, 



nitted i 

Laconia, Weir's Bridge, 
Lisbon, North, 
Littleton, West, 
Northfield Depot, 
Salisbury, West, 
Strafford, Bow Lake, 



the body of the work, or recently estab- 

Stratford, Coos, 
Wakefield, Horn's Mills, 
W^entworth's Location, 
White Sits,, Crawford House, 
White Mts., White Mt. House. 
Winchester, Ashuelot. 



ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. 

Odell is the name of an unincorporated and uninhahited township in Coos county, bounded 

west hy Stratford. It was |iurcliascd of the State, about the year 1839, by tlie Hon. Richard 

Oilell, and is now owned l>y his heirs. It is good setthng land, and a large portion is heavily 

timbered. A braneli of Pbilhps river runs through the eastern part. 
Danburv, Grafton county. Lots '91, 92, 93 in the 3d division, and 86, 87 and 88 in the 4th 

division, were severed from Hill and annexed to Danbury, June 26, 1858. 
Franklin, Merrimack county. All that part of Northtield which was originally embraced 

witliin tlie limits of the towji of Franklin upon incorporation of FrankUn, December 24, 1828, 

were reannexed to it, June 26, 1858. 
GuANTHAJi, Sullivan county. A part of the gore lying between Grantham and Springfield was 

annexed to Grantham, June 25, 1858. 
GiLMAXTON, Belknap county, was divided, by act of June 28, 1859, into two to-ivns, Gilmanton 

and Upper Gilmanton. 

Hampstead, Rockingham county. A small tract in the northerly part of Atkinson was annexed 
to Hampstead, June 23, 1859. 

Lisbon, Grafton county. The northwesterly comer of Landaff, being all of it lying northwest- 
erlv of the Ammouoosuc river, was severed from this town and annexed to Lisbon, June 23, 
1859. 

OssiPEE, Carroll county. Lots 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, and 139, comprising 
one range in the town of Tamworth, which were origiiudly embraced witliin the town of Ossi- 
pee, were reannexed to Ossipee, June 23, 1859. 

Upper Gilmanton, Belknap county. (See Gilmanton.) 

Pltmooth, Grafton county. A small tract was severed from Campton and annexed to Ply- 
mouth, at the June session, 1860. 

Wehster, Mcrrimac county, was incorporated from the westerly half of Boscawen, July 3, 
1860. 



GENERAL INDEX. 



N. B. Where tlio former names of towns i 



en, the present r 
n. a, post-office. 



. indicates a TiUag< 



Portsmoutli 



479, 483 



6TS-9 



Abbot, Rev. Abiel 
Abbot, Benjamin 
Abbot, David 
Abbot, Capt. Josh 
Abbott, Rev. S. T. 
Abenaqui Sin'ings 
Abnaki Indians 
Aboriginal tribes 
Acworth 
Adams's Annals 

Adams (Jackson) 

Adams, Daniel, M. D. tbe Aritli 
metician 

Adams, Rev. Ilugli 

Adams, Rev. John 

Adams, John, Pres'fc 704 

Adams, John Quincy, Pres't 704, 705 

Adams, Rev. Joseph 599, GoS 

Adams, Col. W. 4sl 

Agamenticus, Mt. •>-. 

Agassiz, Prof. Louis <)' ■ 

Agawams, The 4ul 

Agiocochook, Indian i 
White Mts. 

Aiken, Capt James 

Ainsworth, Rev. Laban 

Albany 

Alcock, Robert 

Alden, Pres., cited 

Alden, Rev. Timothy 

Aldrich, Rev. Artemas 

Aldrich. George 

Alexander, John 

Alexandria 

Allen, Rev. Ebenezer 

Allen, Samuel 

Allen, Rev. William 

Allenstown 4U7 

Alpine House 688 

Alstead 408 

Alton, a shire town 409 

Amherst 409 

Amherst, Lord Jeffrey 410 

Ammonoosuc river 418, 424, 460, 
548, 556 

Amoskeag Falls 568 

Amoskeag v. & p. c— Manches- 
ter 572 

Andover 412 

Andrews, Lieut. Ammi 523 

Andros, Sir Edmund 884, 707 

Androscoggin River 422, 431, 460, 
477, 5C4, £ 

Annals of Portsmouth cited 

Antrim 

Appleton, Rev. Jesse t 

Appleton, Hon. Nathan 

Appleton, Samuel 

Apthorp (Littleton) 

Arlington (Winchester) 

Arnold, Rev. Samuel 

Ashley, Rev. Joseph 

Ashley, lion. Samuel 



, 384, 707 



,64^ 



Ashnelot p. o. — West Winches- 
Ashuelot mountain 



Atherton, Hon i i i 
Athcrton, Hon .ii r ;. 
Athevton, Hun. J.j^hu 



Atkii 


sou, lluu. Theodore 414, 


695, 






C2(i 


807 


Atlar 


tic and St. Lawrence KjuI- 




ro:i,l 


4G0, 604 


648 


Atwc 
Aub 


od, John 




709 
416 


Ayer 


Uichard U. 




7U5 




B. 




411 




,, Lhcnezer 


4M2 




1 !;■ \ Stepher 
. l:>i .liicob 




613 
03il 


liailu 


•r. li.u. Joseph 




6111 



naducr, lion. Williiim 704, 705, 
liailev, lUv. Aimer 
r.ail.-\ or r.avl.v, Cvn. J;! 



liaku 



5lu, o:;!, uij>^ 



Bakerstown (SaHsbury) ( 

Baldf.ico niountain 442, c 

Bald hill, Landaff E 

Baldvvin, Capt. Isaac t 

Baldwin, Rev. Thomas i 

Ballon, Kev. Matnrin ( 

Bancroft, George, the histori.an 4 
Bankrupt Law, construction in 

New Hampshire c 

Barefoot, Walter 383, 384, i 

Barker, Hon. David 704, 1 

Barnard, Hon. Benjamin ( 

Barnes, ReT. Jonathan i 

Barnstead 4 

Barrett, Dr. Silas 4 

Barrington 417. f 

Barstow, Rev. Dr. f 

Bartlctt "I 

Bartlett, Ezra 704, 'i 

Bartlett, Hon. Ichahod fi42, 707, ■; 
Bartlctt, Hon. Josiah 388, 545, 7( 
707, i 
Bartlett, Levi 1 

Bartlett, Thomas ( 

Bartley, Rev. J.M. C. f 

Bath 4 

Batten, Henry, captured by the 

Indians 4 

Bayley (see also Bailev) 
Bean, Hon. Benning M. 7 

i Bean, John, killed by Indians 4 



PAGE 

Beareamp River 611, G45 

Beaver river 46G, C3ti, 700 

Bedford 418 
ll.-.lrl, den. Moody 



'ihu, captured by the 



476 

' 628 

0, 707 

421 



Ileiknajt county 
Belknap, Dr. Jeremy 
Belknap's History cited 377, 378 

380, 414, 695, 61)0, G79 
Bell, Hon. James 443, 706, 709 

Bell, Hon. John 708 

Bell, Hon. Joseph 421 

Bell, Dr. Luther V. 443 

Bell, Hon. Samuel 443, 70G, 708 

Bell, Hon. Samuel D. 443 

Bellamy river 474, 603 

Bellomont, Earl of 384 

Bellows, Col. Beuj. 669, 671, 704 

Bellows, Thomas 704 

Belton, Hon. Silas 707 

Bennett, Rev. Salmon 573 

Bennington 421 

Benton 422 

Berlin 422 

Berlin Falls 422 

llerry, Nathaniel S. 709 

l;.thlehem 423 

ll.tton, Hon. Silas 640 

llickford, Sergeant 606 

liickford, William 528 

Bigelow, Rev. Asahel 516 

Birney, James G. 705 

Bishop, Enos, captured by the 

Indians 425 

Bishop, Elder Job 435 

Bishop, Josiah, killed by the In- 
dians 424 
Bishop's brook 654 
Bixby, William 706 
Black mountain, .lackson 459, 534 
Black mountain, W^ood-stock 703 
Blackwater river 412, 425, 522, 533, 
642 
701 

Indians 639 

Bl.ike v.— Rindge 633 

lllaiicliard. Col. Joseph 387. 688 

Blanchard, Richard, a victim of 

savage cruelty 434 

Blodgett, Hon. Samuel 564, 668 

Blood, Hon. Francis 664 

Bloody Point (Newington) 598 

Blue iiills 655 

Hountain 703 

head 514 

Bodwell, Rev. Abraham 643 

Bog brook 6.57 

Bond, George P. 682 

Bond, Nicholas, killed by the 

Indians 513, 646 

ioonc Island Ughthouse 629 

(711) 



ri2 



GENERAL INDEX. 



;on iincl Maine K'd 415, 474, 4S1, 
482, 493. 503, Qt'l. wi. (ffiO, G3i 
Bo.'iton, Concord, and Monti-eal 
U'd 422, 435, 460, 6CJ0, ai8, 521. 
530, 540, 576, 579, 604, 622, 038, 
613 
Boundary of N. H. .380, 381, 391, 3a2 
Boutou's llbt. Concord, cited 453 
Bow 426 

Bow Lake T. and j». o. — Straf- 
ford 656, 709 
Bowen, Peter 434 
Bowers, Jesse 705 
Bowkerville v. — Fitzwilliam 4*J4 
Boyle (Gilsum) 502 
Bradford 427. 7< 9 
Bradford. Kev. E. P. 633 
Bradford, Rev. »Io.*3 494 
Bradlcv. .Samuel and .lonathan, 

killfil by the Indians 450 

Bradstrcet, Simon 707 

Brattle, Thomas 586 

Breakfast hill 640 

Brenton's Farm (Litchfield) 555 

Brentwood 428 

Bretton Woods (Carroll) 435 

Brewster, Capt. John 634 

Bridgewater 428 

Jiridgman's Fort 527 

Brigham, IteT. Bcnj. 494 

Bristol 429 

Broad brook 699 

Brcadhend, Hon. John 7(17 

BrookfielJ 430 

Brookline 430 

Brown, Rev. Arthur 026 

Brown, Rev. Francis 518 

Brown. Rev. Joseph 490 

Brown, Hon. Titus 707 

Bruce, Rev. John 583 

Buchanan. James, Pres. 705 

Buckminster, Rev. Joseph 020 

Buckmiuster, Kcv. Joseph S. 490 
Buffum, Hon. Joseph 707 

Bulkely. Peter 580 

BuUard. John, killed by Indians 539 
Bungtown, v. — Oration 507 

Buntin, Andrew, captured by 

Indians 407 

Burbank, Samuel and sons 532 

Burdett, Rev. George 408 

Burgess, Rev. Archibald 516 

Burke, Hon. Edmund 707 

Bumap. Rev. Jacob 577 

Burnet, WilUam 707 

Bumham. Rev. Abraham 613 

Burnhani. Rev. A. W. 032 

Burns, 1km. Robert 707 

Burns, Samuel 705 

Burton (.\lbany) 405 

Burton mountain 664 

Buss, Rev. John 479 

Butler, Rev. Beiyjimin 607 

Butler, Gen. Henry 007 

Butler, Hon. Josiah 707 



Caesar, killed by Indians t 

Calfe, Hon. John i 

Calhoun, John C. ; 

Call, Jlrs., killed by Indians '. 
Cambridge i 

Camden (Washington) ( 

Campbell, Cornelius ^ 

Campbell's Gore (Mont Vcmon 

and Windsor) 583, ] 

Campton 431, ■ 

Canaan ^ 

Candia ^ 

Canterbury 4 

" Shaker settlement at 4 

Cape Horn ( 

Cardigsin (Orange) f 

Cardigan mountain 407, C 

Carleton, Kbenezer 7 



Carlton, Hon. Peter 707 

Carpenter, Rev. .\braham 619 

Carpenter, Rev. Ezra 632 

Carpenter. Rev. Smith 019 
Carr, James, killed by the In- 

di.ans 407, 612 

Carr, Dr. Moses OJO 

Carr mountain 484,075 

Carrigain, Dr. Philip 454 

Carroll 435 

Carroll county Hi 

Carroll, Hon. Charles 436 

Carter mountain 089, 006 

Carter, Dr. Ezi'a 4.J4 

Carter. Nathaniel II. 4-">l 

Carter's v. — Newtoa 004 

Cass, Hon. Lewis 489, 705 

Catamount hill 407 

Cate, Asa P. 709 

Centre Harbor 43 J 

Ch.amberlain, John C, 511, 707 
Chamberlain, Levi 540, 541, 709 

Champney, Benjamin 600 

Champney, Hon. Ebenezer 000 

Chandler, Abiel 519 

Chandler, Capt. Abiel 4.52 

Chandler, Capt. John 451 

Chandler, Gen. John 48G 

Chandler, Hon. Thomas 707 

Chandler. Hon. Zachariah 420 

Chapel of the Hills 417 

Charlestown 438, 440 

Chase, Rt. Rev. Philander 461 

Chase, Hon. Dudley 461 

Chase, Gov. .Salmon P. 401 

Chatauque V. — Conway 459 

Chatham 442 
Cherry mountain 435, 638, 688, 6U3 

Cheshire county 442 
Cheshire Railroad 442, 494, 642, 573 

Chesley, Thomas 552 

Chester 443 

Chesterfield 444 

Chichester 445 

Chiswick (Littleton) 550 

Chocorua mountain 406, 436 

Chocorua's cur.^e 400 
Christi or Christian, an Indian 

401,434 

Church, Rev. J. H. 612 

Cilley, Hon. Bradbury L. 706 
Cilley, Gen. Joseph 388, 607, 700 

Claggett, Hon. Clifton 411, 707 

Clareraont 445 

" mills at 447 

Clark, Hon. Daniel 705, 706 

Clark. Rev. John 490 

Clark. Rev Ward 545 

Clarksville 448 

Clay, Henry 705 

Clear stream 581 

Clinton, De Witt 704 

Cobble hill, Landaff 548 
Cochccho Railroad 409. 474, 493, 656 
Cochecho river 474, 493, 635, 656 

Cockburn, Sir George 654 

Cockbume (Columbia) 449 

Cockburne, Sir James 449 

Cockermouth (Groton) 510 

Coe, Rev. Curtis 582 

Coffin, Rev. Peter 469, 4S2 

Coggswell, Joseph G. 491 

Coggswell. Nathaniel 414 

Colbum, Lieut. Andrew 57.3 

Colby, Gov. Anthony 601, 709 

Colby, Jonathan 628 

Colby, Mo.ses 464 

Colcord, Edward, jr. 605 

Cold river 405. 408, 549, 609 

Cole. Samuel 446 

Colebrook 448 

Colebrook, .Sir George 654 

Collins, Samuel 705 
Colman, Jabez and son killed by 

Indians 545 

Columbia 448 



Conant, Rev. William 561 

Concord, shire to,\u and State 

cipital 449 

early struggles of 

people 450-453 

" controversy with 

Bow 451, 452 

" State Prison at 450 

" Insane Asylum at 456 

Concord (Lisbon) 555 

Concord I^lroad 456, 527 

Concord & Claremout Railroad 428, 

448, 457, 579. 669 

Congress, U. S. frigate 628 

Connerticut lake 616 

Connecticut river 400, 418, 427, 442. 

444, 447, 449, 460, 401, 603, 516, 

629, 537, 548, 661, 656, 682. 683. 

000. 609, 615, 616, 619 

Connecticut and Pa.«sumps!c 

Rivers Railroad 608, 519, 562, 610. 

610 

Constitution of New Hampshire 389 

Contoocook (Boscawcn) 426 

Contoocook river 111 I'J'i 112 4.^5. 

465,610, 622. 'J 'j: r37. 

- ' i .. •■47 

Contoocook TatU-> I i .V_2. 

Contoocookville v. aud p. o. — 

Hopkinton 633 

Conway 458 

Conway river 604 

Cooash Indians 401 

Cook, Francis 680 
Cook, Thomas, killed by Indians 424 

Cook, Timothy 426 

Coos county 400 

Coos p. o. — Stratford 709 

Coote, Richard 707 

Cornish 460 

Cotton, Rev. John 624 

Cotton, Rev. Josiah 644 

Cotton, Rev. Seaborn 514 

Cotton, Rev. Theophilus 615 

Coventry (Ronton) 422 

Cragin, Hon. A. H. 707 

Cram, Rev. Jacob 5.33 

Cranfield, Edward 379, 383. 707 

Crawford, Abel 683, 684 

Craivford, Erastus 684 

Crawford, Ethan 684 

Crawford, Ethan A. 683, 684 

Crawford. Thomas J. 684 

Crawford House 684 

Crawford House p. o. — White 

Mountains 709 

Crawford's Grant 683 

Crockett, Rev. John 643 

Cromwell, John 577 

Cromwell, Oliver 406 

Crosby, Capt. Josiah 580, 581 

Crotched mountain 495, 509, .527 

Crown Point 387 

Croyden 461 

Croyden mountain 462, 508, 659 

Crystal Falls 689 

Cuba mountain 675 

rummiiiLx. l:.-v Joseph 573 



-ph 



, Ho 



Cuahma 
Cusliman's mountain 
Cutter, Doctor 
utter. Doctor 
Cutt, or Cutts, John 
Cutts, Hon. Charles 



Dalton 462 

Dalton, Rev. Timothy 614 

Dalton, Hon. Tristram 402 

la. Rev. Daniel 490. 618. 6.59 

Dana, Prof 406 



GENERAL INDEX. 



713 



Dana, Hon. Samnel ^ 

Dana. Kt'v. Sylvester ( 

Daubury 463, "i 

Danforth, Rev. S."s, almanac t 
Dantzic (Newbury) I 

Dantzic (New London) t 

Danville ^ 

Dartmouth College 390, 517, { 
Dartmouth (Jefferson) ' 

Deadwater river ( 

Dean, John, murdered by In- 
dians i 
Dean, Rev. Seth ( 
Dearborn. Edward, M, D. < 
Dearborn, Gen. Henry 3S8, ' 
Dearborn. Simon 1 
Debelinc, M. 
Deerfield 



Deei 



ing 



Derry 

Derryfield (Manchester) t 

Devil's Den € 

Devil's Slide f 

Dinsmoor, Gov. Samuel 540, 7( 
707, 708, 7 
Discoverer, oneof Martin Pring'a 

vessels 376, 6 

Dix, lion. John A. 4 

Dix, Col. Timothy 4 

Dixville 4 

Dixville Notch A 

Dodge, Rev. Joshua £ 

DoUoffi, J.imes, killed by Indians £ 
Dorchester *! 

Dorr, Thomas W. 4 

Douhlehead mountain 442, 4 

Doughiss. Jabez A. 1 

Dover, a shire town 331, 4 

" destruction of 4 

Dow, Joseph, llist. address at 

Hampton cited I 

Dow, Hon. Moses i 

Downing's Mills v. — New Dur- 

Downs, Ebenezer ( 
Downs, Gei'shom, killed by In- 
dia as 634. ( 
Drake's Corner v. — Effingham < 
Dublin < 
Dudley, Hon. John ( 
Dudley, Gov. Joseph 384, { 
Dudley, Rev. Samuel ^ 
Dumn^or '. 
Dummer Falls ' 
Dunbar, Col. David 385. ' 
Dunbarton '. 
Dun. in ll-H .Himes H. 
Ihif. .., • ■■ ,i-liu 



I Eliot, John 4 

Elkins, Henrv, killed by Indians i 
EUis, lion. Ckleb 446, 7U4, ', 

ElUs. Judge I 

Ellis river 534. i 

Ellsworth 4S4, : 

Emerson, Rev. Daniel I 

Emery family '■. 

Emery, Rev. Stephen ( 

Enfield 

' Shaker settlement at ' 
Epping 

Epsom ' 

Errol 

Estabrook, Rev. Experience < 

Eureka Powder- works v. — New 

Durham • 

Evans, Rev. Edward 
Evans, Richard ' 

Everett. Hon Alexander U. 
Everett, Hon. Edward 
Ewers. Rev. Nathaniel i 

Exeter, a shire town 
Exeter river (S^uamscott) 428, ' 



1..: -■ ' ;.n.O I 

I)nr:if,.l . l;;in.|..liai) ( 

Durham 4 

" savage attacks upon 4^ 
4 
Durell, Hon. Daniel M ' 

Duston, Jonathan 4 

Dustou, Mrs., heroic feat of 4 

E. 

Eames, Capt. Jeremiah ( 

Eames, Rev. Jonathan ' 

East Kingston 481, ( 
East or Newichawannock pond ( 

East Town ( Wakefield ) ( 
Eastern R^ulroad 510. 515, 636, ( 

Eastman, Capt. Ebenezer 449, 4 

Eastman, Hon. Ira A. ' 

Eastman, Jonathan 454. 1 

Eastman, Capt. Joseph ■■ 

Eastman, Hon. Nehemiah 493, ' 

Eaton 4 

Echo lake 496. ( 

Edwards, Hon. Thomas M. 705, ' 

Effingham ^ 
Ela's river 



Fabyan's i 

Factorvville v- — Littleton 

Fairfield (Woodstock) 

Fairfield, John 

Farmer, John, historian of N. II. 
" " Gazetteer cited 

Farmer and Moore's collections 
cited 

Farmington 

Farnsworth, Ebenezer 

Farn.sworth, Stephen, captured 
by Indians 

Farrar, Rev. Joseph 

Farrar, Rev. Stephen 

Farrar, Judge Timothy 600, 

Farrington, Hon. James 

Felch, Hon. Alpheus 

Field, Darby 

Fifield. Benjamin, killed by In- 
dians 

Fifteen-mile Falls 462, 

Fillmore, Mill.rd 

Fish, Rev. Elislia 

Fish, Rev. llalloway 

Fisher. Rev. Elias 

Fisher. Jo?iah, killed by Indians 

Fisherfield (Newbury) 

Fisheries, Report on cited 

Fisherville v. and p. o — Con- 
cord 457, 

Fisk. Miss 

Fitzwllliam 

Flagg, Rev. Ebenezer 

Flanders, Lieut. John 

Fletcher, Kev. Elijah 

Fletcher. Kev. Mr. 

Flume, at Dixville 

Flume at Lincoln 554. 

Flume House p. o. — Lincoln 

Fogg, Rev. Jeremiah 

Folsom, Ephraim, Sen. 

Folsom, Gen. Nathaniel 

Fort Constitution 

Fort Dummer (Hinsdale) 

Fort McCleary 

Fort Shattuck 

Fort William Henry 

Fort William and Mary 

Foss Grant 

Foster, Hon. Abiel 434, 

Foster, Rev. Jacob 

Foster, Josiah, captured by In- 
dians 

Fowle, Rev. Robert 

Fowler. Asa 

Francestown 

Franconia 496, 

Franconia Notch 496, 

704, 705 Franklin 497, 

Franklin and Bristol Railroad 



Franklin, Hon. Jonathan 561 
Freedom 

emau, Hon. Jonathan 704, 

etown (Rjiymond) 
Fremont 
Fremont. John C. 

nch, Rev. Jonathan 
Freueh, Nathan, killed by In- 
dians 
French war 

Frost, John, killed by Indians 
Frost, J udge 



GafReld, Benj., pursued by In- 
dians, and drowned 528 
I Gale. Jacob 482 
GjIo. Stephen 705 
'■ Gardner, lion. Francis 707 
Garland. Jabez 649 
I Gaut Guriey 487 
jeorge. Rev. Enos 416 
jiant's Grave 683 
Gibson, Rev. Richard 623 
Gibson v. — New Ipswich 600 
Gilchrist, John J., Chief Justice 

441 
Gilford, a shire town 500 

Gillis and Foss's Grant 674 

Gilman, David 630 

.Hon. John T. 489,490,704, 
703 

Gilman, Hon. Nicholas 489, 706, 707 
Gilman, Col. Peter 387 

Gilman, Stephen, killed by In- 
dians 546 
500, 710 



Gilmanton 
Gilmore, G. 
Gilsum 



Goffstown 

lie V. and p. o. — Rocht 
Goodrich Falls 
Goodridge. Kev. Sewall 

>dwin, Uun. Ichabod 

.dwinville v. — Milton 
Gookin. Rev. Nathaniel 
Gordon, Hon. William 
Gorges. Sir Ferdinando 
Gorham 
Goshen 
Gosport 

7e, Edward 

re. Dr. Jonathan 

.■-■rnor's Island 



705 
502 



T.ty 



■;it V.:>\. Korkin-ham county 636 
■,tt l';ills V — Snmersworth 650 
■at Falls Rraiirh Railroad 649, 
651 
Great Falls and Conway Railroad 

582, 637. 651. 656 
Great Falls and South Berwick 

Branch Railroad 651 

ireat Haystack mountain 682 

Great Island (Newcastle) 594 

■eat Meadow C77 

Greeley. Hon. Horace 411 

'" eu. Dr. Ezra 473 

en hill 458 

j Green, Jona. killed by Indians 513, 



429 I Green mountain, Claremont 



C46 
447 



714 



GENERAL INDEX. 



Green mountain, Effipghom 483 

Greenfifld 609 

Greenland 510 

Gregg, Col. William 388, 559 

Grosvenor, Rev. M- G, 573 

Groton 610 

Grout, nilkiah 528 
Grovetownv. —Northumberland 606 

Gunthwaite (Lisbon) 555 

Guyot, Prof. Arnold 682 

H. 
Haddock, Hon. Charles B. 642 
Uailc, Hon. William 52", 709 
Uaile's location 436 
Hale, Isaac 705 
Hale, John P. Sr. 635 
Hale, Hon. John P. 473, 491. 635, 
705-707 
Hale, Major 625 
Hale, Hon. Nathan 490 
Hale, Hon. Obed 707 
Hale, Hon. Sahna 707 
Hale, Samuel 704 
Hale. Hon. WiUiam 707, 708 
lIak-sto\vn(Weare) 674 
Hall-moon pond 409 
Hull, Joseph S. 693 
Hairs stream 616 
Hairs V. — Chester 444 
Hammons. Hon. Joseph 493. 707 
Hampstead 511, 710 
Hampton 381, 512, 651 
Hampton Falls 615 
Hnnrock 516 
Hanover 516 
Hanson, John 649 
Hardiclay, John, killed by In- 
dians 528 
Harper, Hon. John A. 707 
Harper, Hon. Joseph M. 707 
Harrimau, Deacon J. 620 
Harrington. Kev Timothy 662 
Harrison, Wm. H . Pres. 705 
Harrisville v. — Dublin 476 
Harrisville v. and p o — Nelson 592 
Harrytown (Manchester) 5G4 
Hartford Convention 389 
H-art's ledge 459, 085 
Harfs location 684 
Harvey, Hon. Jonathan 705. 707 
Harvey, Hon. Matthew 707, 708 
Hatch, Samuel 705 
Haven, Horace A. 626 
Haven. Rev. Joseph 634 
Haven, Nathaniel A. 477, 626, 704, 



Haven. Rev Samuel I 

Haverhill, half shire town I 

Hawes. Hannah (Mrs. Rosebrook) 
( 
Hawke (Danville) ' 

Havward. Peter < 

Hazen, C:ipt. John J 

ITazzen. Richard ; 

II..';. ly. Hon. Joseph 707, 

llr:inl. J. -seph, killed by Indians i 



Hilliard, Benj,'iniin 
Hillsborough 
Hillsborough county 
Hillsborough river 
Hilton, William and Edward 



Hem 






Henshaw, Col. William 4 

Hermit lake ( 

Heywood, Col. William 4 

Hibhard. Hon. Harry ' 

Hickr.s. John 1 

Hicks hill f 

Hidden, Rev. Samuel ( 

'■ •■ ordination of ( 
Hildreth. Richard, the historian 4 

Hill 522, ■; 

Hill. Rev. Ebenezer t 
Hill. Hon. Isanc 454,706,708,: 

Hit], Rev. Samuel ( 



Hilton, Winthrop 601 

Hilton's purchase 657 

Hinsdale 527 

Hinsdale. Ebenezer 527 

Hinsdale Fort 528 

Hobbs, Rev. James 612 

Hodgdon, Mrs. Jona,, killed by 

Indians 634 

Hodgkins, John 403 

Hoit, Daniel 709 

Holbrook, Francis 705 

Holbrook, John 705 

Holdernesa 529 

Hollis 530 

Holmes. Hon. Lemuel 660 

Hookset 531, 709 

Hooper, Rev. 5&3 

Ilopehood, an Indian Sagamore 599 
Hopkinton 532, 709 

Horn's Mills p. o. — Wakefield 709 
Hough. Hon. David 707 

Houston, Rev. John 419, 420 

How, James C35 

Howard. Col. Jo.?hua 520 

Howe, Daniel, captured by In- 
dians 528 
Howe. Nehemiah. captured by 

IiuUans 677 

Howevillc V, — Fitzwilliam 494 

Hubbard citfd 679 

Hubbard, Hon. Henry 441, 704, 
706, 707, 709 
Hubbard, Judge 540 

Huckley, , killed by Indians 513 

Hudson 53^3 

Hull. Kev. Mr, 479 

Hunt, Col. Samuel 441. 7U7 

Uurd, Rev. Isaac 490 

Huse. Carr 522 

Hu.<sev. Mrs* Mary, killed bv 

Jmhans 513, 646 

Hutchins, Gordon, Capt. and 

Col. 452. 453 

Hutchinson cited 679 

Hutchin.son, Ann 4H9 

Hutchinson, Fnith 420 

Hutchinson, Rev. William 678 



Imp mountain 6bo 

Incidents of White Mountain 

Scenery cited 459 

Indian Head (Na.shua) 589 

Indian stream, (irafton county 432 
Indian stream, Coos county 

448. 616 
Indian Stream territory 390, 391, 

448, 616 
Indian Stream war 390 

Indian tribes of New Hampshire 

401^04 
Indian wars 386 

Insane Asylum at Concord 456 

Iron ore — where found 534. 555 

Iron-works, Franconia 497 

Iroquois, lake of 679 

Isinglass river 417. 635. 656 

Israel's river 460, 533, 548, 630 



Jackson ^ ■ 

Jack.son mountain I 
Jackson, Andrew, Pres. 704, ' 

Jackson, Dr. Charles T. cited < 

" " explorations of ) 

J&fFrey, George i 

Jaffrey J 

Jefferson < 
Jefferson, Thomas, Prefl. 
Jenness, Hon. Richard 



Jennistflwn (Wanaer) ( 
John's river 460, 462, 538, ( 
Johnson, Hon. Charles 512, t 
Johnson, James and family 4 
Johnson, Hon. James H. 1 
Johnson, Noah 587, ( 
Johnson, Col. Samuel ( 
Jones, Samuel ' 
Jones, captured by In- 
dians ^ 
Josselyn. Henry ( 
Jos.selyn, John, as explorer < 
Judiciary of N. Hampshire 393, 1 



Kancamargus, Indian chief 403, 4 

Kan Ran Vugarty (White Mta.) C 

Keirsarge Gore € 

Kearsarge mountain, Carroll 

I county 417, 442, 4 

\ Kearsarge mountain, Merrimack 

j county 579, 642, ( 

I Kearsarge v. — Conway 4 

! Keene I 

\ Keene, Sir Benjamin { 

I Keith. Caleb ' 

Kelly, Rev. John I 

Kelly, Rev. William ( 

! Kenny, Rev. Isaac ( 

I Kensington t 

\ Kent, Col. William A. i 

' Kidderville v. — Cnlebrook ^ 

i Kilburn, Capt. John 6G8, ( 

Kilkenny i 

Kimball, Abraham, captured by 

I Indians 424, ' 

I Kimball, Hon. Daniel < 

King, Rufus ' 

Kingsbury, Cyrus '- 

' Kingston 545. ' 

Kinsman, Capt Aaron i 

Kitterv point < 

Kittredge, Hon. George W. 

Kneeland. Abner i 

KnoUes, Kev. Hnnserd ' 

Knowles, Sir Charles '. 

Knowles, James I 



Laberee, Peter 440 

Laconia 546. 709 

Laconia. grant of, to Gorges and 

JIason 377 

Lnke Village and p. o — Gilford 500 
L;ike Tillage and p o. — Laconia 546 
Lamprey river 433. 405, 481, 486. 
552, 602. 607. 631. 636. 656 
Ijincaster, a shire town 460, 547 

Lancaster, Thomas, killed by 

Indians 513. 646 

Landaff 548,710 

Liingdon 548 

Laugdon, Hon. John 453, 595, 625, 
706. 708 
Laugdon, Kev Samuel 435, 515, 626 
Langdon, Woodbury 626 

Larkham, Thomas 4<j9 

Lawrence, Rev. Micah 699 

Lawrence's Cong. Churches 

cited 559. 664 

Leavitt's Town (Effingham) 483 

Lebanon 
Lee 



551 

battle with Indians at 552 

Leigbton's Corner v. —Ossipce 611 

Lempster 55- 

Leslie. Rev George 673 

Levcridge. Rev. William 468 

Lime pond 449 

Limerick (Stoddard) 655 



coin 
i Lisbon 

Litchfield 

Little Ammonoosuc 
I Little river 
! Little Sugar river 



555, 709, 710 



605. 608 
441, 667 



GENERAL INDEX. 



715 



Little Suncook river 
Lit'Lleton 

Livermore, Hon. Arthur 



487 I JIast Yar.l p. o. —Concord 



Mm 



iU7, 
Locke, John, killed by Indians 
Londonderry 

" History of, cited 

Long bay 
Long, Pierce 

Lord, Rev. Nathan 490, 

Lord, Rev. Wentworth 
Loudon 
Loui.sbiin^, oxppilition to 

I . ■ .i"ba EST. 



Lovewfirs iiiinmtain 073 

Lovewell's war 387 

Low's Corner v. — Effingham 484 
Lower Ammonoosuc river 496, 508, 

Lower Ashuelot (Swanzey) 662 

Lower Ashuelot (Winchester) 539 

Lower Coho3 (Haverhill) 520 

Lufkin, John, killed by Imlians 450 

Lutwyche, Edward Goldstoue 578 
Lyell, Sir Charles, Travels of, 

cited 681 

Lyman 561 

Lyman, Rev. Giles 573 

Lyman, Theodore 491 

Lyme 561 

Lyndeborough 562 

Lyndeborough mountain 527 

M. 
Macomber, D. C. 692 

Maiiklin, Robert 667 

McClary, Maj. Andrew 385, 388, 486 
McCIary, Hon. John 486 

McCleary, Colonel 5.59 

McClintock, Rev. Samuel 510 

McDuffie, Col. John 634 

MeGregore, Rev. David 420, 559 

McKeen, James 557 

McKenny, Mrs., killed by In- 
diana 539 
McNeil, Gen. John 335, 389. 524. 
■ 664 
Mad river 431, 665, 674 
Madbury 563 
Madison 504 
Madison. James, Pres. 704 
Main, Rev. Amos 634 
Manchester, a shire town 564 
*' patriotism of its 

citizens 567 

" its manufacturing 

interests 568-571 

Manchester and Lawrence Rail- 
road 466, 532, 5f.f) 
Manning, Rev. Abel 51 1: 1 
Mansfield, Rev. Isaac 4ltil 
Margalloway river 422, 423, 4S7 
Mariana, district of 3^7 
Marlborough 572 
Marlow 573 
Marston, Hon. Oilman 707 
Martin, Hon. Noah 473, 709 
Martin's Ferry v. — Hooksett 532 
Mascomy pond 484 
Mascomy river 432, 407, 507, 551 
Mason 574 
Mason, Hon. Jeremiah 626, 706, 708 
Mason, Capt. John 377, 626 
Mason, John Tufton 666 
Mason, Joseph 378 
Mason, Robert Tufton 379, 383 
" " death of 380 
Maasabesick pond 415 
Mass. State Documents 379 



458 
707 

M i.ti. --i-u.'li (Berlin) 422 

M. iN^ \l;, Kiihcrt 410,704 

Mrl 1. Niithaniel, captured by 

Indians 425, 641 

Meredith 575 

Meredith Bridge v. — Gilford 500 
Meredith Bridge v. — Laconia 546 
Meriden v. and p. o.— Plainlield 619 
Merrill, Rev. Gvles 620 

Merrill, Rev. Nathaniel 634, 639 
Merrill, Rev. Nathaniel 562 

Merrimack 577 

Merrimack river 400, 418, 425, 427, 
455, 499, 512, 527, 532, 655, 657, 
677, 579, 004, 042 
Merrimack and Conn. Kiver R"d 533 
Merrimack county 579 

.Merrymeeting bay 409, 597 

Merrymeeting river 409 

Mcserve, Colonel 387, 625 

Metcalf, Hon. Ralph 446, 709 

Middleton 580 

Milan 680 

Miles, Rev. Noah 664 

Milford 580 

Mill mountain 053 

Miller, Gen. James 389, 604 

Miller's river 631 

Mills. Col. Joseph 464 

Mills, Sir Thomas 581 

Millsfleld 581 

Milton 582 

Jline mountain 528 

Mitchell, Rev. Daniel 613 

Mohawk river 448, 460 

Monadnock No. 1 (Rindgo) 632 

Monadnock No. 2(Jaftrey) 636 

Monadnock No. 3 (Dublin) 475 

Monadnock No. 4 ( Fitzwilli.am) 493 
Monadnock No. 5 (Marlborough) 572 
Monadnock No. 6 (Nelson) 692 

Monadnock No. 8 (Washington) 673 
Monadnock mountain 476, 537 

Monroe 582 

Monroe, James, Pres. 704 

Mont Vernon 583 

Moodey, Rev. .Toshua 384, 024 

Moodey, Rev. Samuel 594 

Moody, Rev. Amos 612 

Moody, Rev. John 652 

Moore, Captain 567 

Moore, Rev. Humphrey 581 

Moore, Dr. J. B. 413 

Moore, Rev. Solomon 593 

Moore's v. — Manchester 572 

Moose mountain, Brooklicld and 

Middleton 430, 580 

Moose mountain, Hanover 517 

Moose river 630 

Moosilauke mountain 418, 422 

Slorrill, Rev. David L. 603, 706, 708 
Morrison, Hon. George \V. 707 

Jlorrison, Rev. William 559 

Muultuii, f!, u. Jon.a. 436, 513, 597 
M. . lit. . M, lliiri. Mace 707 

M..iiii..i ■i.ugh 584 

M"imt A.lmLis 682,695 



.Mount Carrigain 


682, 695 


Mount ('hocorua 


406, 095 


Mount Clay 


682, 095 


Mount CHnton 


682, 691 


Mount Franklin 


682, 691 


Mount Jefferson 


682, 695 


Mount Kearsarge, Carroll 


CO. 459, 



Mount Kearsarge, Merrimack 

county 642, 097 

Mount Lafayette 682, 095 

Mount Madison 682, 695 

Mount Misery 074 

Mount Monroe 682, 095 

Mount Moriah 682, 095 

Mount Pleasant 682, 091 

Mount PUny 533 



400, 423, 692, 
096 

Mount Webster 682, 688 

Mount Willard 088 

Mount William 674 

Muddy brook 099 

MunsonviUe v. and p. o. — Nel- 
son 693 
Muzzy, Rev. William 658 

N. 
Namaoskeag Indians 401 

Nanamocom uck 403 

Nancy's brook 685 

Narmarcungawack river 658 

Narragansett No. 3 (Amherst) 4()9 
Narragilnsett No. 5 (Beilford) 419 
Narrows in Connecticut river 582 
Nash, Tunothy 683 

Nash and Sawyer's Location (583 
Nash's stream 653, 657 

Nashua, a shire town 585 

'' manufactures of 589-591 
Nashua Indians 401 

Nashua river 527, 631 

Nashua and Lowell Railroad 679 
Nashua and Wilton Railroad 581 
Naticook (Litchfield) 555,5: 

Navy Yard at Portsmouth 



627 
Neal, Walter 377, 598 

Neal as an explorer 679 

Nelson 592 

New Amesbury 671 

New Boston 693 

New Breton, Andover 412 

New Castle 694 

New Durham 596 

New Durham Gore (Alton) 409 

New Eng. Historical and Gene- 
alogical Register cited 513 
New Hampshire, agriculture and 

manufactures of 397 

New Hampshire, bankrupt ques- 
tion in 392, 393 
" boundaries, set- 

tlement of 880, 392 

New Hampshire, constitution of 

394, 395 
" controversy about 

Dartmouth College 390 

New Hampshire, courts of 393, 394 
" discovery of 376 

" educational and 

reformatory institutions of 398, 
399 
New Hampshire, financial condi- 
tion of 396 
" geographical ex- 
tent of 376 
" government of 

388,394 
" Indian wars in 386 

" Indian Stream 

territory in 390 
" name, orig'mof 377 

'' persecution of 

Quakers in 383 
population of 

395, 396 
" railroads in 398 
" religious condi- 
tion of 399 

'* revolutionary 

period in 388 
" scenery 400 

" ■ statistics of 395, 399 

" toleration act 390 

'■ union with Mass. 

379,381,383 
" union with New 

England colonics 382 

New Hampshire, witchcraft ma- 
nia in 383 
New Hampshire Central Rail- 
road 420, 504, 522, 527, 579 



716 



GENERAL INDEX. 



New Hampton 597 

New Uopkinton (Hopkinton) 532 
New Ipswich b'-B 

New I,ondoD 600 

New Madbury (Jackson) 534 

New Marlborough (Marlborough) 572 
New Monadnock (Jaf&ey) 636 

New Salem (Meredith) B75 

Newbury 593 

Newcomb, Judge Daniel 540 

Newell, Rev. Gad 692 

Newfound lake 510. 621 

Newfound pond 429, 508 

Newfound river 429 

Newhall, Rev. Matthew 565 

Newichawannock pond 6(J8 

Newichawannock river 360, 474, 636, 
648, 650, 650. (See also 
Salmon Falls river.) 
Newington 598 

Newmarket 6111 

Newport, a shire town 602 

Newspapers in the State 706 

Newton 603 

Newton (Alstead) 408 

Nichols, Hon. Mose3 410 

Nickerson. Rev, Joshua 663 

Nisitisset(IIoms) 530 

Nisitissct river 430, 531 

Noble, Rev. Obadiah ^ 609 

Norris, lion. Moses 706, 707 

North Effingh.im (Freedom) ' 499 
North Hampton 004 

North Hill (North Hampton) 604 
North river 608 

North Branch river 615 

Northam (Dover) 467 

Northern Railro.Td 413, 426, 432 

456, 463, 4S5, 490, 507, 508 



9, COS 
604, 709, 710 



Northfleld 

Northumberland 

Northwood 

Norton, Francis 

Notch of White Mountains 

Nottingham 

Nottingham West (Hudson) 

Noyes, Rev. Nathaniel 

Noyes, William 

Number Two ( Westmoreland) 

Number Four (Charlesto^^'n) 

NutUeld (Londonderry) 



Oakcs's Gulf 691. ( 

Odell township ^ 

Odlin, Rev. John i 

Odlin, Rev. Wooilbridge ^ 

Oil-Stone quarry at Littleton I 
Olcott, Hon. Simeon 441, ' 

Old Man of the Mountain 490, ( 
Old North Church '. 

Oliverian v. — Haverhill ' 

Orange ( 

Orford I 

Orr, Lieut. John 419, '. 

Ossipee, a shire town 610, ' 

Ossipeo Indians 401. i 

Ossipee Lake 436, 499, ( 

; mountain 436, 5S5, 6 



Otis, Christine 
Owl-head mountain 
Oyster river 
Oyster river (Durham) 



Paekersfield (Nelson) 
Page, Capt. Caleb 
Page, Rev. John 
Page, Hon. John 
Page, Rev. Thomas 
Paige, Uev. Christophel 
Paige, Rev. Reed 
Paine, Hon. Charles 



Palfrcv, Hon. John G. 491 

Paper Mill v. and P.O. — Alstead 4U8 
Paper Mill V. — Exeter 492 

Parker, Abel 704 

Parker, Isaac, captmred by In- 
dians 438 
Parker, James, killed by In- 
dians 528 
Parker, Hon. Joel 391, 536, 540 
Parker. John 7C4 
Parker. Judge 626 
Parker Hill v. — Lyman 561 
Parker's Hist, of Londonderry 

cited 578 

Parker's Mills V. — GoSstown 504 
P.arkhurst. Phineas 705 

P.irrott. Hon. .lolin P. 



(139 



601. 



I'.ii' . , >'. • .III 3S4, 707 

r;i-. jr UN M ;, I-,,, Piscataqua) 079 
Passaciiuaway, au Indian sachem 

402, 418 
'* farewell address 

of 402, 4C3 

Paulsburgh (Milan) 680 

Pawtuckaway mountain 4t>l 

Pawtuckaway river 631 

Pawtucket Indians 401 

Payson, Rev. Edward 633 

Payson, Rev. Seth 632, 633 

Pcabody, Gen. Nathaniel 414, 708 
Peabodv, Hon. Oliver 489, 704, 708 
Peabodv, Rev. Stephen 414 

I'eabodV river 505, 689 

Peaked mountain, Bethlehem 424 
Peaslee, Hon. Charles U. 707 

Peeling (Woodstock' 702 

Pegwagget (see also Pequawket) 680 
Peirce, Hon. Andrew 473 

Peirce, Hon. Joseph 707 

Pelham Oil 

Pembroke 612 

Pemigcwasset river 412, 429, 431, 
499, 508, 522, 529, 654, 598, 021, 
&J2, 665 
Pemigcwasset v. — Salisbury 642 
Penacook (Concord) 449 

Penacook Indians 401, 445, 555 

Pendexter, Hon. John 416. 704 

Ptnhallow's Mss. cited 380 

Pcquaquaukes, or Pequawkets 401 
Pequawket (Conway) 458 

Pequawket or Kearsarge moun- 
tain 417, 4.59 
Pequawket river 458 
Perkins. Abraham jr. 605 
Perkins, Hon. Jared 707, 709 
Perley, Rev. Samuel 510, 584 
Perley, Stephen 705 
Perrv. Rev. Baxter 561 
Perry, Obadiah 661 
Perry's mountain 667 
Perrystown (Sutton) 061 
Peterborough 613 
Peterborough Slip (Temple) 664 
Peterborough and Shirley R.lil- 

road 527, 574 

Peters, Obadiah, killed by In- 
dians 450 
Pcttingill, Hon. Thomas H. 642 
Philip, the Indian 390. 669. 670 
Philip's war 3S6 
Pliilip's river 5S1 
Phillips. John 490 
Phillips. Hon. Samuel 490 
Phillips Academy 490 
Phipps (or Phips), William, mur- 
dered bv Indians 677 
Pickering; Hon. John 490. 626. 



Pickpocket Falls 
Pierce. Andrew, jr. 
Pierce, Hon. Bcnj. 
Pierce, Col. B. K. 
Pierce, Ex-President 



704, 708 
428 



Pierce. Hon. Franklm 705, 706, 707 
Piercy (Stark) 663 

Piermont 615 

Pike, Rev. James 649, 70' 

Pike, Nicholas 

Pilot and Willard mountains 
Pinckncy. Charles C. 



I hill 



650 
544 
704 
408 
611 



Pine river 
Pinkham Grant 
Piper. Rev. Asa 668 

Piscassick river 602, G52 

Piscataqua Indians 401 

iver 376, 474, 512, 

698, 625, C56 
Piscataquog river 401, 418, 420, 

465. 495, 504, 627, 693, 674 
Piscataquog v. — Manchester 

420, 572 
Pitman, Rev. Benj. H. 503 

Pitman, John 415 

Pittsburgh 616 

Pittsfield 617 

Place. Capt. David (534 

PlainUeld 61S 

Plaistow 619 

Plausawa, an Indian 434, 612 

Plumer. Hon. John C34 

Plumer, Hon. Willi.-un 485, 704, 706, 
708 
Plumer. Hon. William, jr. 707 

Plymouth Company 378 

Plvmouth, a shire town 620 

Polk. James K., President 704 

Pondicherry mountain 435 

Pool, The 654 

Poor. Enoch 38S 

Poor, Peter, killed by Indians 648 
Poplin (Fremont) 499 

Port Royal SS7 

Porter. Rev. Micaiah 619 

Portsmouth, eountv seat 389, 622 
origin of name 626 

" harbor of 627 

" Annals of, cited 883 

Portsmouth & Concord Itailroad 

433, 457, 632, 679, 613, 631, 636 
Post-Offlccs, additional 709 

Potter, Hon. C. E. 626 

Potter, Kev. Isaiah .050 

Potter, the necromancer 413 

Potter's History of Manchester, 



?ited 



402 



Pottersville v. and p. o. — Dublin 476 
Powers. Rev. Grant 620 

Powers, Grant, Historv of the 

Coos Country by, cited 620. 618. 
621 
Powers. Capt. Peter 030, 531 

Powers; Rev. Peter 520 

Powers, Rev. Walter 603 

Powow river 482, 6.52 

Pratt, Rev. Allan 677 

Prentice, Rev. Josiah 606 

Prentiss. John 540. 704 

Prescott. Madam Mary 594 

Prescott V. — Jafli*ey 637 

Pring, Martin 376. 6-22 

Profile House p. 0. — Franconia 709 
Protectworth (Springfield) 652 

Provincial Government of N. H. 707 
Putnam, Rev. Israel W. 626 

Putnam, John L. 705 

Putnam, Seth 438 

Putnev, Samuel, captured bv 

Indians 424. .532 



Quakerism at Dover 460 

Quakers, persecution of 383. -109 

Quarles. S.imuel 704. 705 

Queen Anne's war 386 



GENERAL INDEX. 



T17 



Kami, Ucv. John 5C2 

Riiudill, Ucv Bonj. 695, 59.5 

Randall, Mis3 652 
Randallsville v. — New Durham 597 

Randolph 629 

Randolph hill 63U 

Randolph, Edward 379 

Ranney, Dr. T. S. 463 

Rattlesnake hill 458, 074 

Raymond 630 

Raymond, Capt. ,Toel 633 
Raymond's Comer v. — Bradford 42H 

Rod hill 5S.". 

Red hill river C4". 

ucd pond nm 

Reilin-, linn John R. T"7 



Salmon Falls i 



430, 532, I 
635. 



Saltonstall, lion. Leverett 
Sanborntou 
Sandown 
Sandwich 

Sarah, (Jountess of Rumford 
Sargent, Rev. lieujamin 
Sartwell, Obadiah. killed by In- 
dians 
S;iv;i..,., J.im..s's. Ed. of Win- 



Riel, 
Rpcil, 



.'olo 



6 V.I 



K,:-nii .f .1, li ui-,. of, for juve- 


SawVer's rock 


!.■; . -ullcnaers 399 


Scales, Rev. James 


Ki-, i;. . ,1, 1, 621 


Scammel, Alexander 


Ririi, l;,.> i: .M,.! 666 


Scotch Irish 


Richard^, Jouatlian, captured 


Scott, John 


by Indians 634 


Scott. \Vinflcld 


Richards, Joseph, killed by In- 


Seabrook 


dians 634 


.'^.amans. Rev Job 


Richardson, Joseph, killed by 


-1 1 ;,. l:, \ .l.iriathan 


Indians 52"^ 


-. ;, . ! ' .. .L,.,,ph 


Richmond 631 




Ricker, George, killed by In- 


!~...,,N .l..'M,l',':,nM. 


dians 649 


Shaker V. and p. o. - 


Ricker, Maturin, killed by In- 


bury 


dians 649 


Shaker v. — Enfield 


Eiddle, Isaac 420 


Shannon, Nathaniel 


Rindge 632 


Sharon 


Rindgc, Daniel 62b" 


Shaw, Rev. Jeremiah 


Robbins, William, lulled by In- 


Shaw, Rev. Naphthali 



i; Ill 



, Capt. Eleazer 6S3, 684 
. Mr. 693 



Round mountain 

Rowe's Corner v. and p. o. — 

Hooksett 632, ' 

Rowland. Rev. Willi.am F. 
Rowley-Canada (Rindge) I 

Roxbury I 

Rumford, Count and Countess ' 
Rumford (Concord) ' 

Rumford (Merrimack) i 

Rumford and Bow, controversy 

between 
Rumney 1 

Rush. Richard ' 

Ru3.sell, .Tosiah 

Rust, Rev. Henry 1 

Kye ( 

'■ Inhabitants of, proprietors 



of Wa 



S. 



Sabatis, an Indian 
Sabine, Lorenzo 
Sabine, L., Report of, 

eries, cited 
Saco river 417 

Saddleback mountain 
Salem 

Salem-Canada (Lyndeborough) 662 
Salisbury 641, """ 



434, 642 
Fish- 



, 458, 460, 503 
465, 607, 608 



Shaw. Hon. Tristr.am 
Sheafc, Hon. James 626, 706, 707, 7(1.S 
Shelburne C47 

Slielburne Addition (Gorham) 604 
Shepherd, Gen. Amos iu^ 

Sherburne. Hon. J. S. 707 

Sherburne, Capt. Samuel, killed 

by Indians 513 

Sherburne. Judge 620 

Shurtliff, ISenoni 640 

Shute, Mrs. Fanny 601 

Shute, S.unuel 707 

Silver Cascade 686, (;s7 

Silver Spring (1^ i 

Sinclair, Col. Richard i i . 

Smith, Kev. Eth.an and John 5'_'' * 
Smith, Rev. ls.a,ac .Sil 

Smith. Isaac W.'s Centennial 

Address cited 511 

Smith, James "04 

Smith, lion. Jcdediah K. 411, 707 
Smith, Hon. Jeremiah 489. 490. 540, 
641, 707, "" 
Smith, Joseph H. 
Smith, lion. Samuel 
Smith, Capt. William 
Smith's river 407, 429, 463, 507, 702 
Smitli's V. — New H.imptou 
Smith'.s V. — New Ipswich 
Somersworth 

" Indian attack ( 

Soucook river 445, 455, 560 

Snuc.iok v. — Loudon 560 

.- .111. ..III. 1. 1.1 (Bedford) 419, .577 
' ' I I I ( >Ierrimack) 419, 577 

- I' ii.ns 401 

Sim;,. ; III luir 411,527,674,578, 
681, 600 
Souheg.an v. — Merrimack 579 

Soule, Gideon L, 490 

South branch river 602 

South Hampton 651 

South Newmarket 6.52 

Spafford, John 438 

Sparhawk, Samuel 705 

Sparks, Jared, the historian 491 



4.37, 508, 530, 685, 645 



Stark. Archibald 478, 664 

Stark. Caleb 420 

Stark, Gen. John 385, 3SS, 413, 451, 
452, 559, 667 
Stark, William 337, 451, 478, 566, 



II 399,^ 

:i . II II .JohnH 614,; 

l.;,,luiMtlian ; 

ens, Uliijor Ebenezer I 



Stinson, William 




478 


Stoddard 




655 


Storer, Hon. Clement 


706 


707 


Strafford 


655 


709 


Strafford county 




656 


Stratford 


6,57 


709 


Stratford Peaks 




657 


Stratham 




657 


Strawberry Bank (Portsmouth) 


623 



Sugar Hill V. & p. o. — Lisbon 655 
Sugar river 447, 462, 505, 563, 602, 
660 
Sulliv.in 668 

Sullivan county 659 

Sullivan Railroad 441, 448, 659 

Sullivan, Hon. George 705, 707 

Sullivan, John, Gen. .and Gov. 388, 
389, 481. 695, 658, 704, 708 
Sunimcrville v. and p. o. — Dal- 



446 
659 

- ill;.- 579,594,601,659 

.-III I I Muntains 427,505,659 
r-iiiri-.il, ,1',-iiibroke) 612 

SiHH-'iok mountains 500 

Suncook river 407, 416, 445. 465, 
487, 579, 613, 618 
Suncook V. & p. o. — Epsom 487 
Suncook p. o. — Pembroke 613 

Surry 650 

Sutton 661 

Swanzey 661 

Swett, Capt., killed by Indi.ans 513 
" ■" ■ Carroll Co. 458, 664, 674 



Tamworth 663, ', 

Tappan, Hon. Mason W. 427, '> 

Tarleton, William ; 

Tash, Col. Thomas f 

Taylor. John ; 

Taylor, Capt. Joseph ' 

Taylor, Nathan ', 

Taylor, Zach.ary, President ' 

Temple ( 

T.nney, Hon. Samuel 489, ; 
Thompson, Benjamin (Count 

Rumford) ^ 
Thompson, Hon. Daniel P. 

'•Gaut Gurley" by ^ 

Thompson. D.-ivid 377, ( 

Thompson, Hon, Ebenezer 481, ' 



718 



GENERAL INDEX. 



Thompson, Hon. Thomas W. 454, 
706, 707 
Thompson's Island 622 

Thorn mountain 459, 534 

Thornton 6f>5 

Thornton, Andrew 6*5-5 

Thornton. Hon. James B. 578 

Thornton, Hon. Matthew S^S, 474, 
577, 678, G07 
Thornton's Ferry t. and p. o. — ■ 

Merrimack 579 

Tilton. Samuel 705 

Tunber Lane (Hampstead) 512 

Tinkerville t. — Lyman 661 

Tompkins, D. D. 704 

Toppan, Hon. Christopher 513 

Towle, Caleb 605 

Trask, Rev. Nathaniel 428 

Ttecothick (Ellsworth) 484 

Troy C66 

True. Rev. Henry 
Tuck. Ho 






Jedediah 1 

Tucker'.s bridge I 

Tuckemian's Ravine i 

Tuftonborough ( 

Tufts, Rev. Joshua I 

Turkey river ' 

Turrell. Mrs. Jane i 

Twin mountains I 
Twitchell. Benj., captured by 

Indians j 

Tyler, Rev. Bennett I 

Tyler, Jonathan ( 

Tyng, Jonathan i 

V. 
Hmbagog lake 422, 430, ■ 

Uncanoonuck mountain 504, ■ 
Underbill, Capt. John 
Unity 
Cpham, Hon. George B. MO, 7 

Upham, Hon. Nathaniel 

Upham. Timothy 

Upper Ammonoosuc river 422. 

Upper Ashuelot (Keene) 

Upper Gilmanton 

Usher, Hezekiah i 

Usher, John 384, 

Usher, Lieutenant-Govemo- ; 



I'an Buren. Martin, President 705 

Vauqhan, Georse 385, 707 

Vaughan, William 3S7, 625 

Vose, Hon. John 421 

Vcsc. Hon. Roger .''.tl, 7"7 

Vote, Presidential 7"}. T"'i 

Vote, Gubernatorial 7"^. 7tiU 

Votes, Electoral 7o4, 7uO 



■Wamesit or Pawtucket Indianji 401 
War, King William's 386 

War, Quren Anne's 336 

Ward, Rev. Jeremiah 597 

Ward, Rev. Nathan 621 

Ware, Hon. Asber 490 

Warner 671 

Warner river 601 

Warren 672 

Warren, Simon 705 

Washburn, Govemor-a Est. 

Leicester Academy cited 541 

Washington 673 

Washington, Gen. 389 

Washington, George, Pres't 704 

Waters, Rev. ComeUus 503 

Watervjlle 674 

Waterville Gore 665 

Waumbekketmethna, Indian 

name of White Mountains 679 
Weare 674 

Weare, Hon. Meshcch 388, 515, 646, 
667, 674, 707, 708 
Weare, Nathaniel, father & son 646 
Webber, Kev. John 644 

Webster 710 

Webster, Hon. Daniel 390, 490. 

497-499, 540, 626, 707 
Webster, Col. David 
'Webster, Capt. Ebenezer 
Webster, Ezekiel 
Webster, Samuel 
Webster, Rev. Samuel 
Webster, William 
Weeks, Hon. John W. 
Weeks, Hon, Joseph 
Weeks, Major 
Weirs, The 

Weir's Bridge p. o. — Laconla 
Welch, Samuel 
Weld, Rev. Thomas 
Wells, John S. 
Wells, Hon. Samuel 
W'endell (Sunapee) 
Wendell. Isaac 
Wendell, John 
Wentworth 

'' destructive freshet 



664 

497,641 

498 

705 

664 

704 

705, 707 

705. 707 

■ 389 

675 

709 

420 

586,589 

709 

707 

660 

651 



W. 



-Lee 



Wadlcigh's Falls v. - 
Waite. Col. Joseph ^ 

W.-ikefleld 667, 'i 

W.alderne, or Waldron, Major 

Richard 386, 468, 4 

Waldron, Col. John 4 

WaUlrou. Isaac ' 

Waldron. Richard ', 

Walford, Goodwife i 

"Walford. Jane, tried for witch- 
craft ( 
Walker. Rev. Dr. James 4 
Walker, Rev. James < 
Walker, Rev. John I 
Walker, Robert '. 
Walker, Hon. Timothy 454. 704. ; 
Walker, Rev. Timothy ^ 
Waltace. Hon. Robert 521, ; 
Wallingford, Hon. Thomas f 
Walpole ( 
Indian attack upon 669, * 
Walton, Rev. Jo.seph J 
Walton, Shadrach I 



676 

Wentworth. Gov. Benning 385, 433 
6ll, 625. 707 
Wentworth, Gov. John 385, 625, 
701, 707 
Wentworth, John, killed by In- 
dians 634 
Wentworth, Joshua 708 
Wi'Dtworth, Mark II. 477, 626, 701 
W, iitwnrth. Col. Paul 650 
U, iitwurth. Sir Thoma.s» . 4.35 
\V, lit .vcrth. Elder William 648 
Weutworth's Location p. 0. 709 
AVest^Hon. Beiyamin 441, 704 
West Hiver mountain 444 
Westmoreland 677 
Wheelock, Rev. Elcazer 517, 618, 



381, 487, 
514 



552 



388,625 



Wheelwright's pond 

Whipple, Col. Joseph 

AVhipple. Hon. Thomas 

Whipple, William 

White Horse Ledge 4.59 

•White Island light 629 

MTiite Mountain House p. o. — 

IVhite Mount.ains 709 

■White Mountain Railroad 424. 462^ 

White Mountains 678-697 

" extent of 678 

" discovery of 678-680 
" geological formation 



White Mountains, description of 

682-697 
" first settlement of 683 
" routes to 684, 685 

" valley of the Saco 685 
" Silver spring 686 

" Sawyer's rock 685 

" Hart's ledge 686 

" Nancy's brook 686 

" Bemis's pond 685 

" Willey house 685 

" Notch 685 

*' destruction of "Wil- 
ley liimUy 685, 686 
" Silver cascade 686, 687 
" Mount Webster 682. 688 
'■ Mount WiUard 688 

" Devil's den 688 

*' Vallev of Ammonoo- 
suc" 688, 691 
" Fabvan's 688 
" Franconia Notch 688 
'■ Old Man 688 
" Flume 688 
" Mt. Lafayette 682, 696 
" Echo lake 688 
" Crawford house 688 
" Alpine house 688 
" Glen house 688 
*' Imp mountain 688 
" Peabody river €88 
" Tuckerman's ravine 688 
" Carter mountain 682, 
689.695 
" ElUs river 689 
" Crystal falls 689 
" Hermit lake 690 
" Glen Elhs, or Pitch- 
er falls 690 
" Mount Clinton, 682, 691 
" Slount Pleasant 682. 691 
" Mount Franklin 682, 691 
" Red pond 691 
'■ Mount Monroe 682, 691 
'• Oakes's gulf 691, 695 
" Lake of the Clouds 691 
'' Mount Washington 

400, 692-697 
'■ Mount Jefferson 662. 695 
" Mount Madison 682, 695 
'■ Mount Clay 682.695 
'■ Mount Adams 682. 695 
'• Mount Chocorua 695 
•' Mount Kearsarge 6.95 
" Mount Carrigain 682.695 
" Mount Moriah 682, 696 
" Willey n.ountain 682 
'* Mount Kinsman 682 
" Great Haystack 682 

" Jackson mountain 682 
" Twin mountains 682 
" Zoological aspects 

696,697 
■White, John H. 706, 709 

White. Moses 704, 706 

WhitcBeld 678 

Whitefield, Rev. George 596. 624 
Whiton, Rev. John M. ' 414 

Wliittemore. Rev. Aaron 613 

AVhitton, Thomas L. 705 

Wiggin, Andrew 6,58 

Wiggin. Capt. Thomas 377, 468 

Wilcox, Hon. Jcduthan 707 

Wilco.x, Hon. Leonard 706 

Wild Ammonoosuc river 418. 422, 
648, 688 
Wilder. Hon. Marshall P. 633 

Wilder, Samuel L. 633 

Wilkins, Lieut. Robert B. 526 

Willard, Col. Josiah 628, 699 

Willard, Rev. Joseph 547 

Willard mountain 544 

Willev, Rev. Benjamin G. 686 

Willev, Rev. Isaac 603 

Willev. Samuel, jr,, destruction 
of family of 685,686 



GENERAL INDEX. 



719 



Willey house 
Williams, Doctor 
Williams, Gov. Francis 
William?, lion. .Tared W. 
Williams, Rev. Simon 
Williams, Kev. Simon F. 
Wilmot 

Wilmot, Doctor 
Wilson, Uon. Henry 
Wilson, fien. James 
Wilson, Hon. Jamea 
Wilson, James, jr. 
Wilson, Rev. Jolia 
Wilton 

Wilton Railroad 
Winchester 



378, f 
i06, 707,1 



Windham ' 

Windsor ' 

Wingate, Hon. Paine ' 

Winnecowett Indiana ^ 

^A'inncpesaukee Indians ^ 

Winaepesaukee lake 400, 409, 4' 

437, 575, 584, t 

*' discovered ( 

Winnepesaukee river 499, 501, t 

t 

Winnicumet (Hampton) 381, f 

Winnicut river ( 

Wiritlirop's Journal or Hi.=;t. of 

New England cited 402, 679, i 
Witchcraft delusion '< 

Woifborough ' 



Wonnalancet, Indian chief 



402, 



403, 418, 41^ 
Wood, Rev. Amos 674 

Wood. Rev. Henry 503 

Woodbridge, WilUam '490 

Woodbury, James 495 

Woodbury, Hon. Levi 495, 626, 706. 
708 
Woodman, Rev. James 643 

Woodstock 702 

Woodsville v. — Haverhill 520 

Woodwell, . and family 632 

Woolson, Thomas 705 

Worcester, Jo.'^eph E. 421 

Worcester, Rev. Noah 665 

Worcester and Nashua Railroad 531 



J»n 24 18fi) 



=^-/ 



'•■- ^^ C^^v 



^ 




